323 

Mr 


•  * 


M; 

X, 


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,>".*"• 


DQCTOR  MORSE's 


National  Fajt  Difcourfe^ 


SERMON, 

EXHIBITING 

THE    PRESENT    DANGERS,   AND   CONSEQUENT 

DUTIES    OF    THE   CITIZENS    OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

DELIVERED  AT  CHARLESTOWN,  APRIL  25,  1799. 

THE  BAY   OF  THE 

NATIONAL  FAST, 


By  JEDIDIAH  MORSE,  D.  D. 

Paftor  of  the  Church  in  Charleftown, 


PUBLISHED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  HEARERS. 


and  Sold  by  SAMUEL  ETHER1DGE,  next  door  to  Warren-Tavern. 

1799. 


PREFACE. 


1  H  E  apprehenfion  that  fome  parts  of  the  following  Difcourfe  may 
have  drawn  upon  its  Author  the  cenfirre  of  fome  for  whom  he  feels 
affeftion,  has  operated  with  him  as  one  inducement,  among  others,  to 
permit  it  to  be  made  more  public*  He  cannot  but  hope  that  a  cool, 
deliberate  perufal  of  it,  and  a  confederation,  at  the  fame  time,  of  the 
interefting  nature  of  the  facls  therein  related,  and  the  deep  impreffion 
they  muft  have  made  on  the  fpeaker's  piind,  who  had  contemplated 
them  in  all  their  diftreffing  confequences  to  his  religion  and  country, 
will  effectually  efface  all  unfavourable  impreffions,  and  produce  con- 
yi&ion  that  his  zeal  was  honeft,  feafonableand  well  founded. 

IT  muft  appear  ftrange  to  a  man  who  has  impartially  marked  the 
career  of  abominations  which  the  French  government  have  purfued 
for  feveral  years  part,  that  they  fhould  itill  find  advocates  among  fome 
Americans,  who  in  the  eye  of  charity  are  conf;dered  as  fincere  in  their 
profeffion  of  Chrifttanity.  Mod  willingly  would  the  Author  invent,  for 
any  fuch  among  his  Chriflian  Brethren,  apologies  which  may  in  fome 
degree  excufe,  though  they  can  never  juftify,  their  encouraging  the 
enemies  of  GOP  and  religion.  It  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  that  fome 
perfons  of  this  defcription  may  yet  pofiefs  honed  and  good  hearts.  It 
ihould  neverthelefs  be  remembered,  that  the  mod  virtuous  propeniities 
of  our  nature,  when  mifguided  by  prejudice,  paffion,  and  mifreprefen- 
tation  of  fafts,  fometimes  degenerate  into  the  moft  dangerous  vices. 
Of  this  nature  is  the  attachment  which  fome  among  us  continue  to 
cherifh  for  the  French  Revolutiqnifis.  This  originated  in  gratitude 
for  benefits  conferred  by  the  French  Monarchy  ;  and  gratitude  cannot 
thrive  in  a  cold,  ungenerous  foil.  Good  wifhes  to  the  French  had  be- 
come habitual  in  the  bofoms  of  Americans.  And  no  one  felt  them 
more  ftrongly  than  the  Author  of  the  following  Difcourfe,  till  he  be- 
came acquainted  with  the  hiflory  of  their  perfidies  ;  till  their  crimes 
roufed  his  indignation,  and  confcience  forbad  that  he  fhould  look  with 
partiality  on  theprofefTed  enemies  of  GOD,  and  the  infidious  deftrojers 
of  men.  Thofe  who  Were  in  fituations  moft  favourable  for  early  dif- 
covering  the  atrocity  of  the  French  rulers,  perhaps  once  looked  on  him 
with  the  fame  mixture  of  wonder  and  compaffion,  with  which  he  now 
regards  thofe  of  his  Chriflian  friends,  whofe  prejudices  and  want  of  in- 
formation, even  now  inflame  them  with  honeft,  mifguided  zeal  in  the 

M180774 


IV  PREFACE. 

caufe  of  the  French  Revolutionifls.  He  flatters  himfelf,  however,  that 
he  did  not  obftinately  refufe  information,  and  fhut  his  eyes  againft  the 
light ;  that  he  did  not  fuffer  his  refentment  againft  the  Britlfli  nation 
for  injuries  fuftained  during  oar  Revolutionary  war,  to  lead  him  to 
fupport  the  revilers  of  GOD,  becaufe  they  were  alfo  the  foes  of  Britain, 
It  is  to  be  feared  that  there  are  fome  among  us,  and  even  Chriftians 
too,  who  cannot  fay  thus.  But  it  ought  to  befol^nly  remembered 
that  we  are  accountable  to  GOD  for  the  ufe  and  improvement  we  make 
of  our  underftanding  ;  that  errors  are  excufable,  only  when  the  means 
of  information  cannot  be  enjoyed  j  and  that  a  chriflian  who  refufes  to 
hear  and  read  with  candour,  and  to  examine  with  care  and  diligence, 
and  in  confequence  of  ftich  refufal,  ignorantly  adheres  to  the  caufe  of 
injuftice  and  irreligion,  and  thereby  aids  in  deflroying  chriflian  piety 
and  human  happinefs,  commits  aggravated  fin  againft  GOD,  and  does 
terrible  injury  to  men. 

WITH  thefe  impreflions  the  Author  thought  it  his  duty  to  paint 
ftpongly  the  atrocities  of  the  French  Revolutionifls -,  to  labour  if  poffi- 
bleto  arrefl  the  attention  of  the  people  to  whom  he  minifters,  whofe 
welfare  he  has  deeply  at  heart,  and  to  lead  them  to  ferious,  candid,  and 
folemn  inquiry.  He  confefies  that  his  own  fears,  in  view  of  the  wonder- 
ful prevalence  of  licentious  principles,  and  the  open  and  fecret  attacks 
too  fuccefsfully  made  on  our  holy  religion,  are  thoroughly  alarmed} 
and  he  conceived  the  only  profpefl  of  effecting  our  falvation,  fo  far  as 
depends  on  ourfelves,  was  to  alarm  the  fears  of  others,  and  thus  roufe 
them  to  an  induflrious  ufe  of  the  means  of  felf  prefervation.  Under 
thefe  5mpreffions,and  with  this  intention,  hecompofed  and  delivered  his 
difcourfe  ;  and  he  believes  that  events  will  in  a  very  fhort  time  evince, 
that  he  has  not  founded  either  an  undue  or  nnfeafonable  alarm.  If  in 
the  honeft  and  faithful  difcharge  of  his  duty,  he  fhail  have  loft  fome  of 
liis  worldly  friends,  (which  however,  he  does  not  believe)  or  fhall  have 
even  made  to  himfelf  fome  unreafonable  enemies,  he  feels  confcious  that 
lie  has  incurred  thefe  temporary  evils  in  the  line  of  his  duty,  and  he 
will  endeavour  to  bear  them  with  a  becoming  fortitude. 

To  thofe  who  are  offended  at  the  plain  declaration  of  the  truth,  he 
will  fay  with  PETER  and  JOHN,  when  commanded  not  to  (peak, 
«  WHETHER  IT  BE  RIGHT  IN  THE  SIGHT  OF  COD,  TO  HEARKEN  UNTQ 

YOU   MORE  THAN   UNTO  C&D,   JUDGE   YE." 


A    SERMON,^. 


PSALM   XL   3. 


THE    FOUNDATIONS   BE    DESTROTED,   WHAT   CAN   THE 
RIGHTEOUS   DO   ? 


HE  hiftory  of  David,  of  his  fins,  of  his  con- 
fequent  afflictions,  and  of  his  behaviour  under 
them,  was  written  and  tranfmitted  down  to  us  in 
the  volume  of  Sacred  Scripture,  for  our  warning, 
inftruction,  and  confolation.  The  perfonal  trials 
and  fufferings  of  David,  in  many  inftances  refemble, 
and  were  intended  to  prefigure,  thofe  of  the 
Church  ;  and  fhe  accordingly  often  ufes  his  lan- 
guage to  exprefs  her  condition,  her  complaints, 
and  her  refolutions.  The  enemies  of  David,  of 
Chr'ift  his  Antitype,  and  of  the  Church,  have  ever 
poffefled  fimilar  difpofitions,  have  had  in  view  fim- 
ilar  defignS)  and  in  like  circumftances,  have  adopted 
and  purfued  the  fame  means  of  gratifying  the 
former ',  and  of  accomplishing  the  latter.  It  is  no 
lefs  our  wifdom  than  our  duty  to  learn  from  the 
experience  of  others. 

THE  pfalm  from  which  we  have  feledted  the 
text,  feems  peculiarly  adapted  to  warn,   inftruct. 


and  comfort  us  in  the  prcfent  times  of  ferious 
alarm  and  of  real  danger.  It  was  compofed  by 
David,  while  he  ivas  in  great  peril  and  diftrefs 
from  the  perfecuting  hand  of  Saul.  It  contains  a 
recital  of  the  advice  which  he  appears  to  have  re- 
ceived from  fome  of  his  friends,  or  thofe  about 
him,  to  flee  and  hide  himfelf  from  the  deftrudive 
fnares  of  his  enemies  ;  and  alfo  of  the  reafons  on 
which  they  founded  their  advice  ;  and  a  declara- 
tion of  his  own  determination,  and  of  the  ftrong 
grounds  of  his  hope,  confolation,  and  encourage- 
ment. In  consideration  of  the  number,  the  malig- 
nity, the  fecret  artifices,  the  perfeverance,  and 
fucccfs  of  his  enemies,  he  is  urged  by  thofe  about 
him,  to  give  up  all  further  oppofition  to  them  as 
unavailing,  and  to  retreat  to  fome  cave  in  the  lonely 
mountain.  How  fay  ye  to  my  foul,  faith  David  to 
his  advifers,  .flee  as  a  bird  to  the  mountain?  For 
loy  the  wicked  bend  their  bow  ;  they  make  ready  their 
arrow  upon  tbejh'ong,  that  they  may  .privily  Jhoot  at 
the  upright  in  heart*  The  enemies  of  David 
are  here  reprefented  truly,  no  doubt,  as  wicked 
and  infidious  ;  as  fecretly  machinating  plots  to 
deilroy  both  his  character  and  his  life  ;  and  as 
ejetfting  their  poifoned  arrows  in  the  dark,  fo  as  to 
prevent  his  guarding  againft  their  effects.  Who- 
ever will  be  at  the  pains  to  read  the  hiftory  of 
Saul's  perfccution  of  David,  will  be  convinced  of 
the  accuracy  of  the  foregoing  reprefentation, 
THE  words  of  the  text,  which  immediately  fpl-? 

*  Pfalmxi,  1,2. 


low  the  laft  recited  verfe,  may  be  confidered  as  a 
further  defcription  of  the  real  ftate  of  things,  de- 
figned  effedually  to  difcourage  and  difluade  David 
from  making  any  further  efforts  to  fave  his  finking 
country.  If  the  foundations  be  dejtroyed*  <what  can 
the  righteous  do? — If  RELIGION  and  GOVERN- 
MENT, the  foundations  here  meant,  be  fubverted 
and  overthrown,  what  could  the  beft  of  men,  how- 
ever righteous  their  caufe,  hope  to  do  to  any  good 
effed:  in  fuch  a  ftate  of  things  ?  There  appears  to 
be  a  plaufibility  in  this  reaibning.  Few  men,  fit- 
uated  like  David,  could  have  withftood  its  force, 
He  beheld  his  country  torn  with  inteftine  divifions  ; 
he  faw  hatred  and  violence  prevailing ;  confidence 
between  man  and  man  destroyed  ;  treacheries  com- 
mon ;  government  and  laws  defpifed  and  trampled 
upon  ;  religion  negleded,  and  its  holy  precepts 
contemned;  its  moft  worthy  and  faithful  minif- 
ters,  not  only  flighted,  but  four  fcore  and  five  of 
them  at  one  time,  cruelly  maffacred  by  the  ex- 
prefs  order  of  the  king  ;*  in  a  word,  he  beheld  the 
foundations  of  religion  and  government  in  a  ftate 
of  rapid  decay,  and  could  not  but  have  prefaged 
their  fpeedy  and  utter  fubverfion,  if  not  prevented 
by  a  timely  reverfe  of  circumftances.  Not  only 
was  the  ftate  of  his  country,  as  to  its  government 
and  religion,  gloomy  and  diftrefTmg,  his  perfonal 
condition  alfo,  was  extremely  painful  and  hazard- 
ous. He  knew  that  Saulfe cretly  praflifed  mif chief 
tigainft  him  ;  that  he  hunted  his  foul  to  take  it ; 

*  i  Sam.  xxii.  17,  18. 


8 

that  his  fecret  emiffaries  watched  all  his  move- 
ments, and  that  Saul  was  kept  conftantly  informed 
of  them.  He  knew  alfo  that  his  friends  were  afraid 
to  proted:  him. ,   Trying  indeed  muft  have  been 
the  fituation  of  David  ;    and  Chriftians,  at  the 
prefent  time,  whofe  views  and  feelings  in  refpedl 
lo  their  religion  and  country  bear  Jrefemblance  to 
thofe  of  the  pious  and  afflided  Pfalmift,  muft  be 
anxious  to  know  how  he  conducted,     tie  did 
"  not,  at  the  inftigation  of  thofe  about  him,  like 
*'  a  poor,  timorous  bird,  either  fly  for  refuge  to 
"  the  devices  of  worldly  wifdom  ;  nor  did  he  de- 
*'  fert  his  poft,  and  retire  into  folitude,"  fo  long  as 
he  could  be  of  fervice  to  the  caufe  of  GOD    or  of 
his  country.     No,  at  the  period  of  his  deepeft  dif- 
trefs,  when  affairs  feemed  to  be  in  a  defperate  fitu- 
ation, he  encouraged  himfelf  in  the  Lord  his  God* 
In  the  Lord,  faid  he,  put  I  my  truft.    The  Lord 
is  in  his  holy  temple  ;   the  Lord's  throne  is  in  the 
'heaven.     His  eyes  behold*  and  his  eyelids  try  the 
children  of  men.      The  Lord  trieth  the  righteous  ; 
but  the  wicked  and  him  that  lovetb  violence,  his  foul 
hateth.     Upon  the  wicked  fhall  he  rain  fnares  y  or 
burning  coals,  fire  andbrimjlone  and  an  horrible  tern- 
pejl ;  thisjhallbe  the  portion  of  their  cup.     For  the 
righteous  LORD  loveth  righteoufnefs  ;   his  counte- 
nance doth  behold  the  upright.^ 

THESE  fublimeand  juft  fentiments,  concerning 
GOD   and  the  righteoufnefs  of  his  government, 

*  i  Sam.  xxx.  6i  \  Pfalm»xi.  i.  4,  5>  6,  7. 


confoled  and  fupported  the  mind  of  David,  under 
the  preflure  of  his  woes,  and  animated  him  to  a 
holy  zeal,  diligence,  and  perfeverance  in  defending 
and  promoting  the  precious  interefts  of  his  religion 
and  his  country.  My  brethren,  may  the  fame 
truths  have  a  like  effect  on  our  hearts  and  conduct 
at  the  prefent  time.  To  this  purpofe  let  me  in- 
vite you  to  confidcr, 

I.     OUR    PRESENT     DANGERS. 
II.     OUR    CONSEQUENT     DUTIES. 

THAT  our  prefent  fituation  is  uncommonly 
critical  and  perilous,  all  perfons  of  reflection 
agree,  though  opinions  greatly  vary  as  to  the 
fources  and  degrees  of  our  danger.  With  all  the 
franknefs  and  plainnefs  becoming  an  honeft  and 
faithful  watchman,  I  intend,  my  brethren,  to  lay 
before  you  what  I  humbly  conceive  to  be  our  real 
and  moft  alarming  dangers  j  thofe  which  have  a 
malign  afpect,  both  on  our  religious  and  our  politi- 
cal welfare.  Believing,  as  I  firmly  do,  that  the 
foundations  of  all  our  mojl  precious  interefls  are 
formidably  aflailed,  and  that  the  fubtil  and  fecret 
affailants  are  increafing  in  number,  and  are  multi- 
plying, varying,  and  arranging  their  means  of  at- 
tack, it  would  be  criminal  in  me  to  be  filent.  I 
am  compelled  to  found  the  alarm,  and  I  will  do  it, 
fo  far  as  GOD  fhall  enable  me,  with  fidelity.  I 
fear  that  holy  BEING,  who  faid  to  one  of  his  an** 
cient  prophets,  and  who  through  him  addrefles  the 
fame  language  to  the  fucceflive  Minifters  of  his 

B 


1O 

'Word ,  Son  of  man  I  have  made  thee  a  watchman  unto 
the  houfe  of  Ifrael ;  therefore  hear  the  word  at  my 
monthy  and  give  them  warning  from  me.  When  I 
fay  unto  the  wicked,  Tthoujhalt furely  die  ;  and thou 
gtvejt  him  no-t  warning,  nor  fpeakeji  to  warn  the 
wicked  from  his  wicked  way,  to  fave  his  life  ;  the 
fame  wicked  man  Jhall  die  in  his  iniquity  ;  but  his 
Hood  will  I  require  at  thine  hand.  Yet  if  thou  warn 
the  wicked,  and  he  turn  not  from  his  wickednefs? 
norjrom  his  wicked  way,  he  foal!  die  in  his  iniquity  ; 
but  thou  haft  delivered  thy  foul.* 

IT  is  not  my  intention  to  give  offence  to  any 
one,  unlefs  the  truth  fliall  offend  ;  and  the  Ihort 
lived  and  honourable  reproach  of  fuch  offences,  I 
am  willing  to  bear.  Thofe  whofe  opinions,  re- 
ligious or  political,  may  not  exadtly  coincide  with 
my  own,  will  do  me  the  juftice  to  believe  that  I 
mean  not  to  wound  their  feelings,  and  that  I  am  as 
honefl  in  maintaining  my  own  opinions  as  they 
can  be  in  theirs  ;  and  that  a  fenfe  of  duty  only* 
in  the  public  flation  which  I  hold  under  GOD, 
prompts  me  at  this  time  freely  to  declare  them. 
After  thefe  obfervations,  which  I  have  thought 
proper  to  premife,  I  proceed  to  lay  before  you, 
what  I  conceive  to  be  our  prefent  moft  threatening 
dangers. 

OUR  dangers  are  of  two  kinds,  thofe  which  af~ 
fed  our  religion,  and  thofe  which  affed  our  gov- 
ernment. They  are,  however,  fo  clofely  allied 

*  Faek.  iii.  17, 18,  19. 


II 

that  they  cannot,  with  propriety,  be  feparated. 
The  foundations  which  fupport  the  interefts  of 
Christianity,  are  alfo  neceifary  to  fupport  a  free 
and  equal  government  like  our  own.     In  all  thofe 
countries  where  there  is  little  or  no  religion,  or  a 
very  grofs  and  corrupt  on^,  as  in  Mahometan  and 
Fagan  countries,  there  you  will  find,  with  fcarcely 
a  fingle  exception,  arbitrary  and  tyrannical  gov- 
ernments, grofs  ignorance  and  wickednefs,  and  de- 
plorable wretchednefs  among  the  people.     To  the 
kindly  influence  of  Chriftianity  we  owe  that  de- 
gree of  civil  freedom,  and  political  and  focial  hap- 
pinefs  which  mankind  now  enjoy.     In  proportion 
as  the  genuine  effects  of  Chriftianity  are  diminished 
in  any  nation,  either  through  unbelief,  or  the  cor- 
ruption of  its  doftrines,  or  the  negled:  of  its  infti- 
tutions ;  in  the  fame  proportion  will  the  people  of 
that  nation  recede  from  the  bleffings  of  genuine 
freedom,  and  approximate  the  miferies  of  complete 
defpotifm.     I  hold  this  to  be  a  truth  confirmed 
by  experience.     If  fo,  it  follows,  that  air  efforts 
made   to  deftroy    the    foundations   of  our   holy 
religion,  ultimately  tend  to  the  fubverfion  alfo  of 
our  political  freedom  and  happinefs.     Whenever 
the  pillars  of  Chriftianity  mall  be  overthrown, 
our  prefent  republican  forms  of  government,  and 
all  the  bleffings  which  flow  from  them,  muft  fall 
with  tbem. 

FROM  thefe  obfervations  we  may  perceive.the 
propriety  of  the  following  paftage  in  the  Prefi- 
dent's  excellent  proclamation,  which  comprises  and 


exprefTes  our  dangers  of  both  kinds  mentioned, 
viz.  that  the  mo/1  precious  inter  efts  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  are  Jiill  held  in  jeopardy ,  by  the 
hojlile  defgns  and  injidious  arts  of  a  foreign  nation , 
as  well  as  by  the  dijfemination  among  them  of  tbofe 
principles,  fubverfive  of  the  foundations  of  all  retig- 
ious,  moral,  and  focial  obligations,  that  have  prt>- 
duced  incalculable  mif chief  and  mifery  in  other 
countries. 

THIS  pafTage  contains  folemn  and  affecting 
truths,  which  merit  our  principal,  our  immediate, 
and  deep  regard.  The  violent  oppofltion  that  has 
been  made  to  this  article  in  fome  of  our  News  pa- 
pers, is  among  the  ftrongeft  proofs  that  it  con- 
tains an  accurate  flatement  of  our  dangers.  The 
puWic  difclofure  of  the  dark  defigns  of  our  ene- 
mies, always  excites  their  refentment.  Yes,  my 
brethren,  it  is  a  facred  truth,  that  our  moft  pre- 
cious religious  and  political  interefts  are  at  this 
moment  imminently  endangered,  by  the  hojlile 
dejigns,  the  injidious  arts  and  demoralizing  princi- 
ples of  a  FOREIGN  NATION  ;  and  I  plainly  de- 
clare to  you  that  I  mean  the  FRENCH  NATION. 

Do  you  afk  for  proofs  of  all  this  ?  They  are  fo 
abundant,  and  fo  flagrant,  that  I  fcarcely  know 
which  to  feled.  To  fay  nothing  of  their  long 
continued,  and  very  fuccefsful  war  upon  our  de- 
fencelefs  commerce,  becaufe  this  is  well  known  to 
all,  and  is  not  altogether  peculiar  to  the  French 
nation,  I  pray  you  to  confider  their  inhuman  and, 
in  fome  inflances,  worfe  than  favage  treatment  of 


Jl 

thofe  of  our  fellow  citizens  who  have  fallen  into 
their  hands.  They  have  not  only  wreiled  from 
them  their  property,  but  have  in  many  inftances 
groflly  infulted,  beaten,  and  wounded  them,  and 
thruft  them  into  loathfome  prifons  and  dungeons, 
where  multitudes  have  perifhed  by  difeafe  or  hun- 
ger. Nay  worfe,  to  all  their  other  enormities, 
thefe  monfters  in  human  form,  have  added  mur- 
der, the  moft  Ihocking  murder.  Recent  intelli- 
gence from  the  Weft-Indies,  which  has  obtained 
general  credit  is,  that  one  of  our  merchant  fhips 
has  been  taken  by  feveral  French  privateers,  and 
the  prifoners,  (five  or  fix  excepted)  confifting  of 
70  fouls,  all  immediately  put  to  the  fword,  by 
the  blood  thirfty  vidiors.* 

IF  thefe  things  are  inefficient  to  evince  the  hof- 
tile  defigns  of  France  towards  this  country,  let  me 
afk  your  attention  to  the  following  fad:,  not  gene- 
rally known,  and  which  I  ftate  from  authority  on 
which  full  reliance  may  be  placed.  "  Some  time 
"  ago  the  French  Directory  fent  to  St.  Domingo, 
"their  principal  Weft-India  pofleffion,  an  agent 
"  of  the  name  of  Hedouville.  This  man  on  his 
"  arrival,  you  may  recoiled:,  made  fome  profef- 
"  fions  of  juftice  and  amicable  condud:  towards 
*'  the  United  States  ;  he  notwithftanding  foon 
"  equalled  his  predecefTors  in  depredations  on  our 
*'  commerce.  Laft  fummcr,  while  Mr.  GERRY 

*  This  intelligence  has  fince  received  full  confirmation. 


"  was  ftill  in  Paris,  and  the  Directory  was  ftill  em* 
"  ploying  every  artifice  to  keep  him  there  and  to 
"  draw  him  into  an  endlefs  negociation,  Hedou- 
"  ville  was  preparing  to  invade  the  Southern  States 
"  from  St.  Domingo  with  an  army  of  blacks  ; 
"  which  was  to  be  landed  with  a  large  fupply 
"  of  officers,  arms  and  amunition,  to  excite  an 
"  infurreflion  among  the  negroes,  by  means  of 
•'  miffionaries  previoufly  fent,  and  firft  to  fubju- 
"gate  the  country  by  their  affiftance,  and  then 
"  plunder  and  lay  it  wafte.  For  the  execution 
"  of  this  fcheme,  he  waited  only  till  the  Englilh 
"  fhould  evacuate  a  certain  port  in  the  Ifland, 
"  which  lay  moft  convenient  for  the  expedition. 
"  But  he  was  interrupted  by  a  black  general  by 
"  the  name  of  Touiflant,  who  drove  him  from  the 
"  liland,  compelled  him  to  embark  for  France, 
"  and  took  the  authority  into  his  own  hands.  "* 

THIS  intelligence  comes  through  a  channel 
which  entitles  it  to  credit.  And  it  inftrucSs  us 
how  to  underftand  the  pacific  profeflions  and 
overtures  of  the  French  Government  ;  and  clearly 
proves,  what  has  long  been  believed  by  fome, 
that  they  have  been,  and  ftill  are,  defigned  only  to 
veil  the  hoftile  and  deteftable  defigns  of  this  Gov- 
ernment againft  us ;  to  lull  us  into  a  fatal  fecurity, 
that  we,  in  due  time,  may  fall  an  eafy  prey  to  their 
ambition  and  avarice.  This  is  the  way  they  have 

*  See  note  (A.) 


conquered  other  countries  ;  and  thus  they  are  now 
attempting  to  deftroy  us.  And,  my  brethren, 
they  will  affuredly  efteft  their  purpofes,  if  we  are 
notfpeedt'fy  aroufed  from  our  {lumbers,  and  vigor- 
ous, adlive,  and  united  in  oppofing  their  infidious 
and  feduftive  arts.  It  was  her  flumber  and  her 
divifions,  both  effected  by  French  "  diplomatic 
Ikill,"  which  ruined  Switzerland.* 

THAT  fuch  arts  are  now  pradtifing  upon  us 
there  is  no  room  to  doubt.  It  has  long  been  fuf- 
pedted  that  fecret  focieties,  under  the  influence 
and  direction  of  France,  holding  principles  fub- 
verfive  of  our  religion  and  government,  exiited 
fomewhere  in  this  country.  This  fufpicion  was 
cautioufly  fuggefted  from  this  defk,  on  the  day  of 
the  laft  National  Faft,  with  a  view  to  excite  a  juft 
alarm,  and  to  put  you  on  your  guard  againft 
their  fecret  artifices.  Evidence  that  this  fufpicion 
was  well  founded,  has  iince  been  accumulating, 
and  I  have  now  in  my  pofleffion  complete  and 
indubitable  proof  that  fuch  focieties  do  exift,  and 
have  for  many  years  exifted,  in  the  United  States. 
I  have,  my  brethren,  an  official,  authenticated  liil 
of  the  names,  ages,  places  of  nativity,  profeffions, 
&c.  of  the  officers  and  members  of  a  Society  of 
Iltuminati,  (or  as  they  are  now  more  generally 
and  properly  ftyled  Illuminees)  confifting  of  one 
hundred  members,  inftituted  in  Virginia,  by  the 

*  See  Mallet  Du  Pan's  "  Hift.  of  the  DeftrucUon  of  the  Helvetic 
Union  ;"  a  work,  which  every  American  ought  to  read,  with  application 
to  his  own  country. 


i6 

Grand  Orient  of  FRANCE,  This  fociety  has  a 
deputy,  whofe  name  is  on  the  lift,  who  refides  at 
the  Mother  Society  in  France,  to  communicate 
from  thence  all  needful  information  and  inftruc- 
tion.  The  date  of  their  inftitution  is  1786,  be- 
fore which  period,  it  appears  from  the  private  pa- 
pers of  the  European  Societies  already  publifhed, 
(according  to  PROFESSOR  ROBISON)  that  feveral 
focieties  had  been  eftablifhed  in  America,*  The 
feal  and  motto  of  this  fociety  correfpond  with  their 
deteftable  principles  and  defigns.  The  members 
are  chiefly  Emigrants  .from  France  and  St.  Do- 
mingo, with  the  addition  of  a  few  Americans, 
and  fome  from  almoft  all  the  nations  of  Europe. 
A  letter  which  enclofed  this  lift,  an  authentic  copy 
of  which  I  alfo  poflefs,  contains  evidence  of  the 
exiftence  of  a  fociety  of  the  like  nature,  and  pro- 
bably of  more  ancient  date,  at  New-York ,  out  of 
which  have  fprung  fourteen  others,  fcattered  we 
know  not  where  over  the  United  States.  Two 
focieties  of  the  fame  kind,  but  of  an  inferior  order, 
have  been  inftituted  by  the  fociety  firft  mentioned, 
one  in  Virginia,  and  the  other  at  St.  Domingo. 
How  many  of  equal  rank  they  have  eftablifhed 
among  us  I  am  not  informed. -f* 

You  will  perceive,  my  brethren,  from  this  con- 
cife  ftatement  of  fads,  that  we  have  in  truth  fe- 
cret  enemies,  not  a  few,  fcattered  through  our 

*  Robifon's  Proofs,  p,  153.  Phila.  Edit,  f  See  Note  (B.) 


I? 

country  ;  how  many  and,  except  in  three  or  four 
inftances,  in  what  places  we  know  not  ;  enemies 
whofe  profeffed  defign  is  to  fubvert  and  overturn 
our  holy  religion  and  our  free  and  excellent  gov- 
ernment. And  the  pernicious  fruits  of  their  in- 
fidious  and  fecret  efforts,  muft  be  vifible  to  every 
eye  not  obftinately  clofed  or  blinded  by  prejudice. 
Among  thefe  fruits  may  be  reckoned  our  un- 
happy and  threatening  political  divifions  ;  the  un- 
ceafing  abufe  of  our  wife  and  faithful  rulers  ;  the 
virulent  oppofition  to  fome  of  the  laws  of  our 
country,  and  the  meafures  of  the  Supreme  Ex- 
ecutive ;  the  Pennfylvania  infurrediion  ;  the  in- 
duftrious  circulation  of  baneful  and  corrupting 
books,  and  the  confequent  wonderful  fpread  of  in- 
fidelity, impiety  and  immorality  ;  the  arts  made 
ufe  of  to  revive  ancient  prejudices,  and  cherifli 
party  fpirit,  by  concealing  or  difguifing  the  truth, 
and  propagating  falfehoods  ;  and  laftly,  the  ap- 
parently fyftematic  endeavours  made  to  deftroy, 
not  only  the  influence  and  fupport,  but  the  offi- 
cial exiftence  of  the  Clergy. 

THE  definition  of  the  Clergy  in  all  countries 
is  evidently  a  part  of  the  French  fyftem,*  and  all 
their  engines  are  now  at  work  to  accomplifh  it. 
The  Clergy  have  been  among  the  firft  vi&ims  to 
that  fanguinary  revolutionizing  fpirit  which  now 

*  As  early  as  December,  1793,  a  member  of  the  National  Conven- 
tion, publicly  avowed  it  to  be  a  part  of  their  plan  to  annihilate  all  frivi- 
s,  and  to  ABOLISH  every  ECCLESIASTICAL  incorporation. 


C 


i8 

convulfes  the  world.  In  France,  and  in  the 
countries  which  flie  has  fubdued  by  her  intrigues 
and  her  arms,  the  Clergy  have  been  inalmoft  all 
inflances  either  deprived  of  their  livings,  fepa-* 
rated  from  their  people,  plundered,  imprifoned, 
banifhed,  or  inhumanly  maflacred.  I  have  a  letter 
from  a  refpedlable  correfpondent  in  Europe,  in- 
forming me,  that  when  the  French,  fome  years 
ago,  entered  Holland,  a  proteftant  country,  and 
blefled  with  as  pious  and  learned  a  miniftry  as  any 
on  the  globe,  one  of  their  firft  objefls  was  to  dik 
place  fome  of  their  moft  refpe&able  and  influen- 
tial Clergy,  and  to  concert  meafures  for  depriving 
minifters  and  univerfity  profeffors  of  their  legal 
falaries.  How  far  they  have  proceeded  in  this 
diforganizing  bufmefs  I  am  not  informed.* 

THE  fame  malignant  fpirit  is  vifibly  at  work 
to  deftroy  the  Clergy  in  thefe  United  States. 
And  what  have  they  done  to  provoke  this  hoftil- 
ity  ?  Why  they  have  "  preached  politics.  "-]•  This, 
fo  far  as  I  know,  is  the  principal,  if  notjhe  only, 
charge  alledged  againft  them.  But  is  this  any  new 
crime  ?  No  ;  it  is  as  old  as  Christianity  ;  nay  it  is 
as  old  as  the  priefthood  itfelf.  The  priefts  and 
prophets  under  the  Old  Teftament  difpenfation  ; 
Chrift  and  his  Apoftles  under  the  New  ;  the  faith- 
ful Chriftian  Clergy  in  every  age  and  every  coun- 

*  See  note  (C.) 

t  My  idea  of  the  politics  which  become  the  pulpit,  I  have  heretofore 
given  in  an  extract  from  Boucher's  Difcourfes,  which  it  nny  not  be  amife 
Jiere  to  repeat,  By  politics,  I  do  not  m^an  "  the  wrangling  debates  of 


try,  have  preached  politics ;  that  is,  they  have 
inculcated  fubjedion  to  civil  magiftrates,  and  obe- 
dience to  the  laws  ;  have  cautioned  the  people 
againft  animofities  and  divifions  ;  warned  them 
of  their  dangers,  whether  from  foreign  or  domeflic 
enemies,  and  have  exerted  their  talents  and  influ- 
ence to  fupport  the  religion  and  lawful  govern- 
ment of  their  country.  .  I  appeal  to  the  Sacred 
Scriptures,  and  to  hiftory  for  the  truth  of  what 
I  have  afferted.  And  what  have,  the  Clergy 
of  the  prefent  day  done  more  than  we  have  jufl 
ftated  ?  What  have  they  done  more  than  the 
Clergy  in  this  country  have  always  done  in  times 
of  danger  ?  What  more  than  has  heretofore  been 
required  and  expeded  from  them  ?  And  yet,  for 
doing  what  only  twenty  years  ago  they  were 
called  upon  to  perform  as  a  duty?  they  are  now 
cenfured  and  abufed,  and  reprefented  as  anexpen- 
five,  ufelefs,  nay  even,  noxious  body  of  men.  In 
fome  of  our  news  papers,  which  are  read  by  too 
many  with  more  avidity,  and  more  faith  than  the 
Holy  Bible,  they  are  continually  reproached  and 

modern  aflemblies ;  debates,  which  .far  too  often  turn  entirely  on  the 
narrow,  felfifh,  and  fervile  views  of  party.  The  term  has  been,  and  in 
difcourfes  from  the  pulpit  ought  to  be,  ufed  in  a  much  more  extended 
and  more  dignified  fenfe  ;  as  comprehending  all  that  long  lift  of  duties 
which  every  man  owes  to  fociety  in  his  public  capacity.  Every  man  is 
at  leaft  as  much  concerned  to  be  a  good  fubjeft,  as  he  is  to  be  a  good 
neighbour  ;  and  fo  far  is  a  preacher  trom  being  chargeable  with  being 
guilty  of  a  confufion  of  duties,  orofafiiiming  a  character  which  does 
not  belong  to  him,  that  he  acts  ftriftly  within  the  line  of  his  profeffion, 
when  he  explains  as  well  as  he  is  able,  and  enforces  on  the  people  com- 
mitted to  his  care,  their  public  as  well  as  their  private  duties.  Such  pol- 
itics are  literally  the  foaling  voice  ofchriftian  charity.''1 

*  See  a  circular  letter  addrefied  to  the  Clergy  of  Maflachufrtts,  by  th<» 
Provincial  Congrefs,  inferted  in  the  appendix  10  my  late  Thankfgiving 
Sermon,  page  65, 


vilified  ;  and  every  low  artifice  is  ufed  to  leffeft 
their  influence  and  ufefulnefs  ;  and  what  is  deeply 
to  be  lamented,  this  poifon  is  greedily  fwallowed, 
and  affiduoufly  diiTeminated  by  fome  even,  who 
profefs  to  be  the  warm  friends  and  fupporters  of 
Chriftianity,  and  of  the  Chriftian  Miniftry.  Lit-* 
tie  are  thefe  good  people  aware  of  what  they  are 
doing.  Little  do  they  believe  that,  blinded  by 
their  prejudices,  they  are  in  fadt  aiding  with  all 
their  influence,  the  adverfaries  of  religion  in  fub- 
verting  its  foundations;  that  they  are  aft  ing  a 
part  dire&ly  contrary  to  their  prayers  and  their 
profeflions.  I  would  to  GOD  the  veil  might  be 
fpeedily  torn  from  the  eyes  of  fuch  Chriftians,  as 
are  ignorantly  affifting  to  pull  down  the  pillars 
which  fupport  the  chriftian  fabric,  left  they  too 
late  deplore  their  folly  amidft  its  ruins  ! 

So  numerous  indeed  and  bold  have  the  adverfa* 
ries  of  the  Clergy  become,  fo  confident  of  their 
ftrength,  that  even  in  our  legislature,  they  have 
lately  ventured  to  bring  forward  and  ftrenuoufly 
to  advocate  meafures,  and  publicly  to  avow 
opinions,  tending  diredly  and  almoft  infallibly  to 
deprive  a  great  part  of  the  prefent  Clergy  of  regu- 
lar fupport,  and  to  difcourage  and  effectually  to 
prevent  young  men  from  enteringinto  the  work  of 
the  miniftry  .*  How  can  we  account  for  this  gen- 
eral, uncommon,  and  determined  oppofition  to  the 
Clergy  ?  The  deep  intereft  which  they  have  taken 
in  the  political  welfare  of  their  country,  furely,  for 

*  See  note  (D) 


the  reafons  we  have  mentioned,  cannot  be  confid- 
ered  either  as  a  good,  much  lefs  as  an  adequate 
caufe  for  fuch  a  mighty  effeft.  It  cannot  with 
truth  be  alledged  againft  them  that  they  are  de- 
ficient in  patriotifm  ;  that  they  are  inimical  to 
freedom,  or  that  they  have  any  intereft  to  ferve 
feparate  from  that  of  the  people,  No,  my  breth- 
ren, the  true  ground  of  oppofition  to  the  Clergy  of 
America,  at  the  prefent  time  is,  they  are  decidedly 
oppofed  to  the  hoftile  dejigns  and  infidious  arts 
of  the  French  Government.  They  are  oppofed  to 
thofe  atheiftical,  demoralizing,  and  deteftable 
principles,  which  their  emiffaries  are  endeavouring 
to  difTeminate  in  our  country,  as  in  others,  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  our  overthrow.  They  are  a 
phalanx  in  the  way,  to  prevent  the  execution  of 
their  impious  defigns  upon  us.  Thefe  are  the 
true  caufes  of  the  prefent  warfare  againft  the 
American  Clergy.  And  I  pray  GOD  we  may 
never  fhrink  from  fo  glorious  a  conteft.  I  earn- 
eftly  entreat  you  who  love  Chriftianity  and  its 
holy  inftitutions,  to  confider  the  nature  andconfe- 
quences  of  this  conteft.  Suppofe  the  Clergy  van- 
quifhed,  their  influence  deftroyed,  and  their  office 
abolilhed,  agreeably  to  the  wiflies  and  defigns  of 
their  enemies  ;  what  becomes  of  public  worfhip  ? 
of  the  holy  facraments  ?  and  of  the  Sabbath  ? 
Without  a  regular  Clergy,  the  two  former  cannot 
be  maintained,  and  the  latter  would  foon  ceafe  to 
be  regarded.  And  when  thefe  inftitutions  ihall  be 
abolifhed,  the  foundations  of  Chriftianity  fink  of 
courfe,  and  then  what  will  the  righteous  do  ? 


22 

I  AM  aware  that  for  thefe  gloomy  forebod- 
ings, and  for  this  vindication  of  the  Clergy,  1 
may,  by  fome,  be  called  vifionary,  .fplenetic, 
credulous,  and  felfifti ;  but,  feeling  as  I  do  for 
my  religion  and  my  country,  reproaches  of  this 
kind,  I  thank  my  GOD,  are  to  me  harmlefs 
things.  Confcious  that  I  declare  to  you  only  fol- 
emn  and  feafonable  truths,  I  am  perfectly  fearlefs 
of  the  confequences*  Reproaches  for  vindicating 
my  own  profeffion  againft  the  calumnies  of  the 
enemies  of  Chrift  and  his  religion,  I  fhall  always 
deem  honorable.  I  am  only  concerned,  my  breth- 
ren, left  the  fituation  of  the  American  people  gen- 
erally, be  like  that  of  the  poor  deluded  Swifs,  pre- 
vious to  their  awful  and  deplorable  overthrow, 
and  which  is  thus  defcribed  by  their  energetic 
hiftorian  :*  "  63"  The  inhabitants,  he  fays, 
feemed  fearful  of  being  roufed  from  their  indiffer- 
ence, and  were  offended  at  predictions  meant  to  put 
them  on  their  guard.  Woe  to  him  who  difturb- 
ed  the  general  quiet  by  peevilh  reafoning  on  the 
future,  and  on  the  danger  of  connexions  in  which 
they  were  finking  deeper  and  deeper.  The  ma- 
jority of  the  Swifs  were  like  thofe  patients  who 
are  angry  with'  the  phylician  for  defcribing  to 
them  their  diforder." 

THE  conteft  which  now  engages  the  attention, 
and  fills  with  fearful  apprehenfions  all  the  civil- 
ized world,  is  fingular  in  its  kind.  "  It  is  a  con- 
teft of  liberty  againft  defpotifm  ;  of  property 
againft  rapine  ;  of  religion  againft  impiety  ;  of 

*  MalJet  Du  PJD,  p.  109. 


'  civilized  fociety  againft  the'  deftroyers  of  all  focial 
order.  Thefe  terms  feebly  exprefs  the  calamities 
which  the  principles  and  the  arms  of  France  have 
produced  in  their  baleful  progrefs  ;  and  which 
the  wounds  of  a  bleeding  world  will  atteft." 

THESE  fame  principles,  my  brethren,  whichbave 
produced  incalculable  mifckief  and  mifery  in  other 
countries,  are  deeply  rooted  and  widely  fpreading 
through  our  own,  and  are  preparing  the  way  for 
the  armies  which  have  defolated  Europe.  Of  the  ef- 
fedls  of  a  French  army,  co-operating  with  their  par- 
tizans  in  this  country,  we  may  form  force  idea  if 
we  look  at  Switzerland.  May  a  merciful  GOD 
fave  us  from  fuch  awful  calamities  ! 

I  FULLY  concur  in  opinion  with  an  able  and  pi- 
ous divine,  as  expreffed  in  a  late  difcourfe  on  the 
fulfilment  of  the  prophecies,  that  "  we  are  come 
M  to  what  the  fcripture  emphatically  calls  THE 
"LAST  DAYS;"  that  "  the  laft  tyrannical  form 
"  of  government  is  falling  to  pieces  ;"  that  "  the 
"  fourth  beaft  is  now  dying,  and  with  his  pangs 
"  convulfing  the  world  ;"  that  **  during  his  laft 
* '  agonies  the  miferies  of  mankind  will  every 
"where  be  great,  and  greateft  on  thofe  nations 
"  which  have  contributed  moft  to  the  fupport  of 
"  the  civil  and  religious  tyranny  of  the  beaft." 
And  I  would  fain  imprefs  on  my  own  mind,  and 
on  yours,  the  folemn  exhortation  which  he  fub- 
joins,  "$3r  Let  us  not  come  near  it,  for  its  dying 
"  breath  is  contagious.  It  is  the  body  of  Daniel's 
"  fourth  beaft  that  is  dying,  and  infidelity  with 


24 

44 its  natural  confequences,war  and  diforganization, 
*'  are  the  plague  by  which  it  is  confuming.  All 
"  wife  people  will  withdraw  their  embraces,  both 
"  from  the  dying  body,  and  the  difeafe  by  which 
"itperifheth."* 

In  this  connection  I  cannot  forbear  inviting 
your  attention  to  a  paffage  in  a  late  excellent 
difcourfe  of  the  Bifliop  of  Quebec,  which  is  too 
pertinent  to  our  prefent  purpofe,  and  too  val- 
uable not  to  be  here  introduced.  The  candid 
reader,  I  prefume,  will  need  no  apolegy  for  its 
length.  "  Judicious  commentators  upon  the 
*'  prophecies,  he  fays,  have  directed  our  attention 
**  to  the  conclufion  of  the  prefent  century,  as  the 
"  beginning  of  a  period  of  great  trouble  and  fuffer* 
*'  ing  to  the  nations,  and  of  much  danger  to  the 
"  general  faith  of  Chriftians.  They  have  even 
"  explained  the  particular  nature  of  thofe  troubles 
"  with  an  exa&nefs  which  is  truly  aftonifhing. 
"  Thefe  interpretations  of  the  predi&ions,  it 
"  Ihould  be  remembered,  were  given,  fome  long 
"  ago,  and  all  of  them  before  the  commencement 
"  of  that  feries  of  events  which  has  fo  much  agi- 
"  tated  Europe  and  the  world." 

"  THE  images  made  ufe  of  by  the  facred  wri- 
"  ters  are  diftin&ly  interpreted  to  predid  a  great 
"  definition,  approaching  to  annihilation  of  thofe 
*  lawful  powers  that,  at  the  time  under  contem- 
plation, foould  reign  in  the  earth :    a  dreadful 

*  See  note  (E.) 


"  diminution  of  tiiz  dignity  and  fplendour  of  all 
44  greatnefs  ;  a  fubverfion  of  facial  fubordination 

*  *  and  of  civil  government  ;   and  a  contempt  of  all 
*'  law  fid  authority.     They  are  interpreted  to  pre- 
*4  diifl  that  menjhould  be  let  loofe  upon  each  other  in 

*  *  defiance  of  civil  power,  jufl  rule,  and  legal  rejiraint. 
44  They  are  confidered  as  intimating  that  irrelig- 
44  ion,  vanity,  a  total  abfence  of  ferious  principle, 
44  and  a  mifapplication  of  the  refinements  of  civil iz- 
44  ation,  were  to  produce  thefe  mifcbiejs  precifely  in 
**  thefe  times.* 

44  WHAT  fhall  we  fay  then  to  thefe  things  ? 
44  Thefe  are  the  interpretations  of  the  PROPHE- 
<4  CIES,  interpretations  made  all  of  them  before 
44  the  commencement  of  the  events  that  they 
"defcribe!" 

44  CERTAINLY  at  no  period  in  the  hiftory  of 
**  mankind,  has  the  hand  of  GOD  more  clearly 
44  appeared  to  overrule  the  a6ts  of  nations  and  em- 
44  pires,  than  in  the  circumftances  which  diftin- 
4<  guifh  the  prefent  times ;  and  in  the  very  ftriking 
44  and  wonderful  manner  in  which  the  occurrences 
44  which  are  daily  taking  place  in  the  world,  are 
"  ful filing  the  PROPHECIES,  as  thofe  prophecies 
i4  have  been  previoujly  underjlood,  and  interpreted, 
"  by  men  moft  confpicuous  for  learning  and 
**  genius  !" 

44  UNDER  this  view  of  the  fubjedt,  we  appear 
"  to  be  diredlly  led  to  confider  the  revolutionifls  of 


*  See,  more  particularly,  Mr.  KING'S  Criticifms,  tending  to  illuftrate 
fume  palTagesin  the  Holy  Scripture?, 


"  France  as  fpecially  appointed  to  execute  the  Di- 
4  'vine  counfels  ,  as  ordained  to  be  inftruments 
"  of  punifhment  ;  a&ing  with  fearful  feverity 
*'  upon  the  more  abandoned  of  mankind  ;  and 
44  purifying,  like  a  refiner's  fire,  the  hearts  of  thofe 
"who  continue  to  hold  faft  the  prof  effion  of  their 
"  faith  as  it  was  once  delivered  to  the  Saints.  " 

"  THE  wonderful  feries  of  fuccefles  which  have 
"  fo  long  diftinguiflied  the  arms  of  a  people  be- 
"yond  example  impious,  and  the  facility  with 
"  which  they  have  fpread  their  pernicious  princi- 
*'  pies,  and  opened  a  way  for  their  ambitious  pro- 
c<  jedts  among  other  nations,  muft  have  equally 
M  perplexed  and  alarmed  the  mind  of  every  re^ 
M  fleding  man  who  has  cbnfidered  the  fubjedl  in 
*'  this  light  ;  but  viewing  them  as  a  SCOURGE  in 
"  the  hand  of  Heaven,  to  chaftife  the  wickednefs 
c<  of  an  ungrateful  world,  his  fears  will  change 
M  their  objed:,  and  his  perplexity  will  ceafc." 

"  BY  what  fteps  they  arrived  at  this  dreadful 
"  pre-eminence,  is  now  fufficiently  underftood.*' 
"  The  long  and  infamous  labours  by  which  they 
*'  introduced  infidelity  and  anarchy  ;  the  confpi- 
'*  racy,  directed  with  remorfelefs  treachery,  with 
"  envenomed  malice,  and  with  unwearied  perfe- 
**  verance,  not  only  againft  all  eftablifhed  forms 
*'  of  Chriflian  ivorfoip,  but  againft  the  Religion  of 
"  Jefus  thrift,  are  now  known  to  the  world.  The 
"  progrefs  which  they  have  made  in  this  diaboli- 

BARRUEL'S  Hid.  of  Jacobinit"m;  and  ROB  ISON'S  Proofs  of  a  Con- 


fpiracy 


16  cal  warfare  is  recorded  in  chara&ers  of  blood."* 
IF  the  foregoing  reprefentations  be  correct,  we 
fhall  perceive  that  it  is  our  lot  to  live  in  perilous 
times  ;  in  the  period  when  there  lhall  be  "  upon 
the  earth  diflrefs  of  nations  with  perplexity,  the  fea 
and  the  waves  roaring  ;  men's  hearts  failing  them 
for  fear,  and  for  looking  for  thofe  things  which  are 
coming  on  the  earth" 

I  HAVE  thus  endeavoured,  my  brethren,  to  ex- 
hibit a  faithful  picture  of  fome  of  the  dangers  with 
which  our  religion  and  our  country  are  now  im- 
minently threatened.  Admitting  the  reality  of 
thefe  dangers,  it  is  natural  to  inquire,  What  are 

Our    CONSEQUENT    DUTIES  ? 

WE  are  not  to  be  difmayed  or  difheartened  at 
the  profpedt  before  us.     It  is  gloomy,  I  acknow- 
ledge, but  far  from  being  hopelefs.     A  ftate  of 
things  like  the  prefent  has  been  long  expeded  by 
many  pious,  reflecting,  and  enlightened  Chriftians. 
The  Wife  and  Mighty  GOD  is  accomplifhing  his 
grand  deilgns  ;   and  the  winding  up  of  the  awful 
and  tremendous  fcene  now  ailing  in  our  world, 
will  doubtlefs  be  glorious  to  himfelf.    If  then  dan- 
gers multiply   around  us  ;  if  the  foundations  of 
our  religion  and  government  are  affailed  and  fhak- 
en  ;   (GOD  be  praifed  they  are  not  yet,  as  in  many 
European    countries,   deftroyed)    let   us  not  like 
cowards  defert  our  ports,  a&djf&l  like  a  bird  to  the 
mountain.     But,   after  the  example  of  David,   let 

*  Bilhop  of  Quebec's  Thankfgiving  Difcourfe,  preached  Jan.  10,  1799- 


us  encourage  ourfelves  in  the  Ldrd,  and  quit  our- 
felves  like  men  in  the  caufe  of  GOD  and  our  coun- 
try. To  comfort  and  animate  us  in  the  glorious 
conflict,  let  us  refledl,  with  the  exemplary  Pfalm- 
ift,  that  the  Lord  is  in  his  holy  temple  ;  that  His 
throne  is  in  the  heavens  ;  that  His  eyes  behold  and 
his  eyelids  try  the  children  of  men  ;  that  He  trieth 
the  righteous  ^  but  the  wicked  and  him  that  loveth  vio- 
lence ^  his  foul  hateth  ;  that  The  ultimate  portion  of 
the  wicked  Jhall  befnares,  fire  And  brimjlone^  and  an 
horrible  tempeft  ;  and  that  The  righteous  Lord  loveth 
righteoufnefs^  and  his  countenance  beholdeth  the  up- 
right. 

THIS  do&rine  of    a  Divine  fuperintending 
Providence,  fo  precious  to  David,  and  to  the  people 
of  GOD   in  every  age,  and  fo  neceflary  to  fupport 
us  in  thefe  eventful  and  diftreffing  times,  it  is 
deeply  to  be  regretted,   is,   with  other  important 
truths  connected  with  it,  falling  into  difcredit  and 
negleft  before  the  impious  principles  of  the   new 
philofophy.     Our  pious  anceftors  faw  the  hand  of 
GOD  in  every  thing,  more  efpecially  in  all  fignal 
events,   fuch  as  peftilence,   famine,  earthquakes* 
war,  and  other  Calamities .    But  it  has  become  fafh- 
ionable  of  late,  to  afcribe  thefe  things  to  the  uncon- 
trouled  operations  of  natural  caufes,  and  to  keep 
out  of  view  the  Divine  agency.     This   has  been 
remarkably  the  cafe  in  refped  to  the  defolating 
licknefs,  which  has  proved  a  fevere  and  increafing 
calamity  to  our  country.     From  the  difagreement 
among  phyficians  as  to  the  origin,   nature,   and 


methods  of  preventing  and  healing  this  malignant 
difeafe,  and  from  its  remarkable  progrefs  and  in- 
creafe,  it  is  very  evident  that  it  is  brought  upon  us 
in  judgment,  by  the  fpecial  hand  of  Providence, 
to  punijh  us  for  ourjtns.  And  however  attentive 
and  careful  we  may  be  to  remove  natural  caufes, 
which  ought  by  no  means  to  be  omitted,  yet  we 
can  have  no  good  reafon  toexped:  that  this  calam- 
ity will  ceafe  from  among  us,  till  the  moral  caufes 
be  removed,  till  we  acknowledge  the  righteous 
hand  of  GOD  in  it,  and  are  truly  humble  for  our  fins 
and  reform  our  lives. 

THE  hiftory  of  fome  of  the  heathen  nations, 
will  inftrudt  and  fhame  us  on  this  point.  The 
Romans  afcribed  their  good  or  bad  fuccefs  to  their 
ftridl  obfervance,  or  their  neglecft  of  the  public  and 
private  duties  of  their  religion.  "  They  received 
public  prosperities,  or  public  calamities ',  as  bleffings 
conferred,  or  punifhments  inflicted  by  their  Gods.39 

WE  have  the  teftimony  of  Cicero,  that  the  Ro^ 
mans  "  furpafled  all  nations  in  the  only  point 
'*  which  can  be  called  true  wifdom,  viz.  a  thorough 
**  conviction  that  all  things  here  below  are  directed 
"  and  governed  by  a  Divine  Providence  "  While 
the  Roman  people  felt  the  influence  of  this  firft 
principle  of  all  religion,  they  were  virtuous,  free, 
and  invincible.  But  when  the  Atheijlical  dodrine 
of  Epicurus  had  infinuated  itfelf  among  them  un- 
der the  fafcinating  title  of  philofopby,  it  by  degrees 
undermined  and  deftroyed  this  great  principle,  and 
with  it  that  "  individual  fimplicity  of  manners, 


««  and  enthufiafm  of  public  virtue  ;  that  chafte  re** 
«'  gard  to  the  union  of  the  fexes  by  marriage,  and 
*'  pious  attention  to  the  improvement  of  the  mor- 
"  als  of  the  people  by  religion,  which,  in  all  coun- 
"  tries  are  the  ftrong  pillars  by  which  every  po- 
*'  litical  fociety  is  fuftained,  and  its  component 
44  parts  cemented."  The  fpread  and  influence  of 
the  Epicurian  philofophy  was  the  real  caufe  of  that 
rapid  depravity  of  the  Roman  manners,  which 
terminated  in  the  ruin  of  the  empire  itfelf.* 

THIS  flame  philofophy  which  ruined  Rome  has 
been  revived  in  the  prefent  age,  and  is  now  wide- 
ly fpreading  its  defolations  over  the  world.  Its 
contagious  influence  has  reached  us,  and  is  vifibly 
marring  the  foundations  of  all  our  moft  precious 
interefts.  The  principles  of  this  philofophy 
44  deftroy  all  before  them  ;  and  though  they  may 
"  firft  inflame  the  palace,  they  will  in  the  end 
*'  confume  the  thatched  cottage." 

I  HAVE  ftrong  and  confoling  hope  that  the 
reign  of  this  impious  philofophy  will  not  be  gen- 
eral, or  of  long  continuance,  in  our  own  country, 
and  particularly  in  this  part  of  it.  We  have,  I 
truft,  many  to  ftand  in  the  gap  who,  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  of  Hofts,  are  already  oppofing  them- 
felves  with  zeal  and  firmnefs,  in  the  ufe  of  the 
proper  means,  againft  the  deftru&ive  torrent.  And 
this  number  I  truft  is  increafing  and  will  increafe. 
The  alarm  is  given,  the  ruined  republics  of  Europe 

*  Sfenote(F.) 


JL 

are  exhibited  before  our  eyes  as  fo  many  beacons 
to  guard  us  againft  the  rocks  on  which  they  have 
been  fhip  wrecked,  and  the  American  people  in 
confequence  are  roufing,  too  flowly  and  reluctantly 
indeed,  from  their  flumbers.  Many  good  peo- 
ple, however,  are  ftill  afleep,  and  infenfible  to  our 
prefent  dangers.  The  Lord  in  his  own  time  and 
manner  will  open  their  eyes,  and  conquer  their 
unreafonable  prejudices  ;  and  then  they  will  cor- 
dially join  their  prayers  and  their  efforts  againft 
the  common  enemy.  But  before  this  (hall  be 
generally  the  cafe,  there  is  reafon  to  fear  we  {hall 
be  obliged  to  drink  deeper  than  we  have  yet  done 
of  that  cup  of  calamities,  mingled  by  a  juft  GOD, 
of  which  many  of  the  European  nations  are  now 
drinking  even  to  the  very  dregs. 

To  prevent  this  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  it  behoves  us 
to  liften  to  the  voice  of  Providence  in  the  prefent 
events,  which  loudly  warns  us  to  avoid  all  polit- 
ical connection  with  thofe  nations  which  feem  de- 
voted to  deftruCiion  ;  C^r  to  watch  the  movements, 
and  detedt  and  expofe  the  machinations  of  their 
numerous  emiffaries  among  us  ;  to  rejeCt,  as  we 
would  the  moft  deadly  poifon,  their  atheiftical  and 
deftruCtive  principles  in  whatever  way  or  fhape 
they  may  be  infinuated  among  us  ;  to  take  heed 
that  we  partake  not  of  their  fins,  that  we  may  not 
receive  of  her  plagues.  *'  Let  us  fear  the  Lord  ; 
"  live  in  all  due  fubjeCtion  to  our  rulers,  and 
"  meddle,  not  with  them  that  are  given  to  change/* 

IT  is  a  duty  fpecially  incumbent  on  us  at  this 


time,  to  promote  to  offices  of  truft  and  influence 
fuch  men  only,  as  have  good  principles  and  morals; 
who  refpedt  religion  and  love  their  country  ;  who 
will  be  a  terror  to  evil  doers,  and  will  encourage 
fuch  as  do  well.  If  ever  the  time  fhall  come 
when  the  new  philofophy  fhall  obtain  afcendency 
over  public  opinion,  and  men  who  have  embraced 
its  principles,  fliall  be  able  to  controul  our  flate 
and  national  counfels,  "  America  muft  drink  the 
cup  of  Babylon.  Then  flie  will  become  a  limb 
of  the  beaft,  whofe  body  GOD  hath  faid  lhall  be 
given  to  the  burning  flame. "* 

LET  us  not  then  become  enamoured  of  this  vain 
and  impious  philofophy,  nor  imagine  that  infidel- 
ity is  any  mark  of  profound  thinking,  or  of  acute 
penetration.  *'  A  little  philofophy  (faid  Lord 
Bacon)  inclineth  men's  minds  to  atheifm  ;  but 
depth  in  philofophy  bringeth  men's  minds  about  to 
religion"  Chriftianity  can  reckon  among  her  fup- 
porters  and  advocates  many  of  the  brighteft  orna- 
ments of  our  race,  men  of  the  moft  fhining  talents, 
the  deepeft  refearch,  and  the  moft  profound  and 
extenfive  learning  that  the  world  ever  witnefled. 
Let  this  religion  theri,  which  ftrengthens  all  the 
motives  of  virtue  ;  binds  together  the  members 
of  fociety,  and  whofe  do&rines  and  precepts  tend 
in  the  higheft  degree  to  promote  univerfal  happi- 
nefs,  be  the  "ANCHOR  of  all  our  hopes  ;  and  let  us 
never  forget  the  infeparable  connexion  that  exifts 
between  the  virtues  which  flow  from  it,  and  the 
profperity  of  our  country." 

*  STRONG. 

AMEN. 


NOTES. 


NOTE  (A.)  page  14. 

Jl  H  E  foregoing  Extract  is  from  the  honourable  R.  G.  Harper's  Sketch 
cf  the  principal  afis  of  Congrtfs,  during  the  Jejjion  which  clojed  the  $d  of 
March  lait,  and  is  dated  at  Philadelphia,  March  go,  1799.  He  adds, 

"  This  fcheme  came  to  our  knowledge  in  the  following  manner. 
A  very  rich  fhip  from  the  Eaft  Indies,  valued  at  nearly  feven  hundred 
thoufand  dollars,  was  taken  laft  fummer  by  one  of  Hedouville's  priva- 
teers. The  owners,  merchants  of  this  town  (Philadelphia)  employed  a 
man  of  honor  and  character,  well  known  here,  and  well  acquainted  in  the 
Weft  Indies,  to  go  and  endeavour  to  purchafe  the  fhip,  at  a  low  rate. 
He  went  to  St.  Domingo  for  that  purpofe  j  and  while  there,  converfed 
with  fome  of  the  black  officers  who  were  to  be  employed  in  the  expedi- 
tion. As  he  fpoke  their  language  well,  he  was  led  to  cultivate  an  ac- 
quaintance with  them  j  and  from  them,  in  their  moments  of  conviviality, 
he  learned  the  project.  /  have  it  from  him,  through  a  psrfoti  oftht  highejl 
confidence." 


NOTE  (B.)  page  16. 

IN  my  Difcourfe  on  the  National  Faft,*  May  9111,1798,  after  giving  fome 
account  of  ROB  ISDN'S  Proofs  of  a  Conj piracy,  £c.  a  work  which  had  then 
juft  arrived  in  America,  I  faid,  "  There  are  too  many  evidences  that  this 
order  (the  Illuminati,)  has  had  its  branches  eftablifned,  in  fome  form  or 
other,  and  its  emiffaries  fecretly  at  work  in  this  country,  for  leveral  years 
part." 

t  Being  often  publicly  called  upon  for  evidence  to  fupport  this  infinua- 
tjon,  I  engaged,  when  my  health  and  leifure  would  permit,  to  lay  it  be- 
fore the  public.  This  engagement  was  in  part  fulfilled,  in  the  Ap- 
pendix of  my  Thankfgiving  Sermon  of  Nov.  29,  1798,  Note,  (F.)  p.  73, 
to  which  I  refer  the  reader. 

Since  this  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Prefident  DwipHT,  confirming 
the  facl  which  he  hat}  aiferted  in  a  note  to  his  Difcourfe  on  the  41)1  or  July, 
1798,  viz.  that  »  Illuminatifm  exifts  in  this  country  ;  and  the  impious 
mockery  of  the  Sacramental  Supper,defcribed  by  Mr.  RoBisoNt  has  been 
a&ed  here."  Knowledge  of  tnis  fad:  was  received  by  Preiident  Dw  IGHT 
from  an  unqtieftionable  fource.  He  fays  that,  "  his  informant,  a  refpecla- 
bleFree  Mafou,  declares,  that  among  the  Higher  Orders  of  JMafons  in  this 
country,  this  piece  of  Illuminatifm  (meaning  the  mockery  of  the  holy 
Supper)  is,  at  times,  I  know  not  how  often, prafiifed.  The  gentleman  from 
xvhoml  have  the  intelligence  informed  me,  that  this  fail  was  a  decifive 
proof  of  Illuminatifm  in  America,  as  the  celebration  of  the  Si-cred  Supper, 
was  not,  in  any  fenfe,  a  part  of  the  rites  of  the  original  Mafonry.  Of  this 
!  know  he  ran  ft  be  certain;  as  being  one  of  the  principal  officers  of  th^ 
Mafonic  Brotherhood," 

But  if  all  this  evidence,  added  to  that  which  arifes  priina  facie  from 
the  exiting  ftate  of  things  ;  from  the  wonderful  and  alarmimr  change 
which  has  been  fuddenly  and  imperceptibly  produced  too  generally  in  thff 
principles  and  morajs  of  the  American  people,  be  infufficient  to  convince 
and  fatisfy  candid  minds  of  the  actual  exiftence,  and  fecret  and  extenlive 
operation,  of  Illuminatifm  in  this  country,  the  following  documents 
which  were  received  through  a  mod  refpeclable  channel,  and  lor  the 
authenticity  of  which  I  pledge  myfelf,  malt,  I  conceive,  remove  every 

*  Page  23.-  -}•  P.  137,  and  138,  Fhi'a,  Edit. 

E 


34 

doubt  remaining  on  the  minds  of  rttajonable  men.  If  any  branches  of  this 
Society  are  eftablifhed  in  this  part  of  the  United  States,  the  members  no 
doubt  will  feel  irritated  at  this  difclofure,  and  will  ufe  all  their  Jecret  arts, 
and  open  endeavours,  todiminifh  the  importance  of  thefe  documents  and 
the  reputation  of  him  who  makes  them  public.  As  to  the  latter,  I  feel 
little  concern,  having  made  up  my  mind  to  facrifice  every  thing  I  pofTefs, 
and  even  my  life,  if  necefTary  in  the  caufe  of  my  religion  and  my  country. 
But  I  am  anxious  to  guard  the  public  againlt  the  artifices  of  defigning 
perfons  which  may  probably  be  ufed  to  leflen  the  importance  of  evidence 
adduced  in  confirmation  of  facls  of  infinite  moment  to  their  welfare.  I 
earneftly  invite  the  readers  unprejudiced  attention  to  the  following 
documents. 


COPY    OF   AN    ORIGINAL    LETTER, 

A  L'Ot...  de  Portfmouth,  En  Virginie  le  ij* 
du  5e.m.  en  L'an  de  la  V.*.  L.».  5798^. 

La  R.».  L.'.  Pte.-.  Fse.«.  regulierement  conftitue  fous 
le  titre  diflinclif  de  la  Sagefle  No.  2660.  par  le  G.-» 
Ot.«.  de  France. 

A 

LaT.«.  R.«.  L.«.  L'union-franqaife  No.  14.  conftitule 
par  le  G.-.  Ot.«.  de  New-York. 

S.-.  F.«.  V.-. 

TT.s  CC.-.  &  RR.-.  FF.-. 

LA  ?Iacxhe  dont  vous  nous  avez  favorifes  en  date  du  i6c»  du  2c.  mois 
de  la  prefente  annee  Mque.«.,  ne  nous  eft  parvenue  que  depuis  peu  de 
jours  ;  Elle  a  etc  mife  fous  les  yeux  de  notre  R,».  L...  en  fa  feance  extra- 
ordinaire du  I4.e.  du  prefent. 

Nous  vous  telicitons  TT.-.  CC.k.  FF.%  des  noiivelles  Conftitutions  que 
vous  avez  obtenues  du  G.-.  Ot.«.  de  New-York.  Nous  nous  ferons  en 
confequence  un  plaiiir  &  un  devoir  d'entretenir  avec  votre  R.».  L.'.  la 
correfpondence  la  plus  fraternelle,  comme  avec  toutes  les  LL.'.  reguliere 
qui  voudront  bien  nous  favorifer  de  la  leur. 

C'eft  a  ce  titre  que  nous  croyons  devoir  vous  donner  Connoiflance  de 
PetabliiTement  de  deux  nouveaux  attellieres  maqoniques  regulierement 
conditues  et  inftalles  au  rite  franqais  par  notre  R>.  L.-.  provincialle,  L'un 
depuis  plus  d'un  an  fous  le  titre  de  L'amitie  a  L'Or.*.  de  PeterAburg,  en 
Virginie  ;  1'autre,  plus  recent,  fous  le  titre  de  la  Parfaite-Egalite  a 
L'Ot.*.  du  Port  de  Paix  ille  St.  Domingue. 

Nous  vous  remettons  cy -joint  quelques  exemplaries  de  notre  Tableau 
de  cette  annee  que  notre  L.«.  vous  prie  d'agreer  en  retour  de  ceux 
qu'elle  a  re9U  de  la  votre  avec  reconnoifTance. 

Puifle  le  G.«.  A.».  tie  1'U.-.  benir  vos  travaux  et  les  couronner  de  toutes 
fortes  de  fucces  !  C*eft  dans  ces  fentiments  que  nous  avons  la  i'aveur  d'etre, 
P,-.  L.-.  N.-.  M.-.  Q...  V.-.  S.-.  O. 

XT.-,  CC,-.  et  TT...  RR...  FF.-. 

Votre  tres  atfeitiones  FF'.» 
Par  Mandement  de  la  T.«. 
R,«,  L...  Pte.-.-de  la  SagefTe 
Guieu 

Secretaire.— 


TRANSLATION. 

At  the  Eafl  of  the  Lodge  of  Portfmouth  in 
Virginia,  the  iyth  of  the  ^th  month,  in  the 
year  of  (V.».  L.«.)  True  Light  5798./: 

The  (R...  L,«.  Pie.-.  Ffe...)  refpeftable  French 
Provincial  Lodge,  regularly  appointed  under  the 
diftinitive  title  of  WISDOM,  No.  2660  by  the 
CRAND  ORIENT  OF  FRANCE. 

TO 

The  (T.vR.%  L.».)  very  refpefl: able  French  Lodge, 
The  UNION,  No.  14,  contlituted  by  the  Grand 
Orient  of  NEW  Yt)RK. 

S.-.  F...  V.-. 

TT.-.  CC.-.andRR...  FF.-. 

THE  plate  or  opening  (la  Blanche)  with  which  you  have  favoured  us  in 
date  of  the  i6th  of  the  2d  month  of  the  current  year  (Mque.-.)  Mafonic, 
came  to  us  but  a  few  days  fince.  It  was  laid  before  our  (R.*.  L.-.)re~ 
ipectable  Lodge,  at  its  extraordinary  felfiooson  the  14th  infh 

We  congratulate  you  TT.'.  CC.-.  FF.-.  upon  the  pew  Conftitutions  or 
Regulations  which  you  have  obtained  from  the  Grand  Orient  of  New 
York.  We  will  therefore  make  it  our  pleafure  and  duty  to  maintain  the 
moft  fraternal  or  intimate  Correfpondence  with  your  (R.'.  L.«.)  refpefta- 
ble  Lodge  ;  as  alfo  with  all  the  regular  Lodges  who  are  willing  to  favour 
us  with  theirs. 

It  is  on  this  ground  (a  cetitre)  that  we  think  it  our  duty  to  inform  you 
of  the  eftablifhment  of  two  new  Mafonic  Workfhops  (attellieres)  regu- 
larly conftituted  and  installed  according  to  the  French  ritual,  by  our 
Provincial  (R. •.  L. •. )  refpeclable  Lodge  ;  one,  more  than  a  year  fince, 
under  the  title  of  FRIENDSHIP  in  the  Eaft  fide  of  the  Petersburg  in  Vir- 
ginia ;  the  other  more  recent,  under  the  title  of  PERFECT  EQUALITY,  in 
the  Eaft  of  Port  dePaix  in  the  Ifland  of  St.  Domingo. 

We  herewith  tranfmit  to  you  fome  copies  of  our  Lift  (Tableau)  for  this 
year,  which  our  Lodge  prays  yon  to  accept  in  return  for  thofe  which  it 
hath  received  from  your  Lodge  with  thankfulnefs. 

May  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Univerfe  blefs  your  labours,  and  crown 
them  with  all  manner  of  fuccefs.  With  thefe  fentiments  we  have  the 
favour  to  be 

P.».  L.-.N.-.  M.«.  O.-.  V.-.  S.».  C.-. 

TT.-.  CC.-.  ATT.-.  RR.-.  FF.-. 
Your  very  affectionate  FF.  •. 

By  order  of  the  very  refpeclable 
Provincial  Lodge  of  WISDOM, 
G1EU, 

Secretary; 


TABLEAU 

t)e s  F.  F.  qui  compofent  la  Loge  Prwituiak 
Francatfe, 

Sous  le  Titre  Diftindif  de  la 

S  A  G  E  S  S  E  : 

A  I/ORIENT  DE  PORTSMOUTH,  EN  VIRGINIE,  ETAT  DE 
L'AMERIQUE  SEPTENTRIONALE, 

A  TEpoque  de  la  jSt.  Jean,  5798. 


NORFOLK; 

IMPRIME  PAR  WILLETT  &  O'CONNOR. 


F.'.  F.'.  Dignitaires. 

VENERABLE— PIERRE  VALENTIN  DAVEZAC,  habitant  de  St. 
Domingue,  ne  Aux  Cayes,  age  de  44  ans,  membre  de  la  L.«.  la  Raifoa 
Perfect!  onnee,  O.-.  de  Petit  Trou.  R.-.  s!«.». 

ier,  SuRViELLANT-LOUlS  PATRICOT  BORDENEUVE,  habitant 
de  St.  Domingue,  ne  a  Lavaur,  age  de  47  ans,  membre  dela  L.  de  la  Sol- 
itude, O.'.  du  Terrier  Rouge.  R.-.  £?.•. 

ae.  SURVEIELLANT— JEAN  BAPTISTE  FDULON,  negotiant,  ne  a 
St.  Quentin,  age  de  54  ans.  R.-.r;*.-. 

ORATEUR— JOSEPH  ANTOINE  DUFORT,  docteur  en  medecine, 
habitant  de  St.  Domingue,  ne  a  St.  Marcelin,  age  de  41  ans.  R.'.  i*;.«. 

SECRETAIRE—JEAN  ANTOINE  GIEU,  notaire,  au Port-au-Prince  : 
ne  a  Marfeille,  age  de  44  ans.  M. 

TRESORIER— VINCENT  PARLATO,  Md.  n6  a  Naples,  ag6  de  41 
ans.  R.».  ap.«. 

Me.  DES  CEREMONIES— JOSEPH   MAGAGNOS,  Md.  ne  a  Toulon, 
age  de  25  ans.  M.-. 
TERRIBLE— LOUIS  SAUTEJEAU,  Md.ne  a  Nates,  age  de  30  ans.  M.% 

i«.  EXPERT— JEAN  BAPTISTE  CAPAMAGY,  Md.  ne  a  Conftaii- 
tinople,  age  de  42  ans.  R.'.  sir.* 

2me.  EXPERT— JEAN  BAPTISTE  MARIE  BONNEAU,  habitant  de 
St.  Domingue,  ne  a  Marfeilles,  age  de  39  ans.  M.«. 

HOSPITALIER — GEORGE  FKRTE,  dofteur  en  medecine,  habitant  de 
St.  Domingue,  ne  a  Ham,  age"  de  71  ans.  M.«. 

ADJOINT  AU  SECRETAIRE,  ET  GARDE  DES  SCEAUX  ET  ARCHIVES — 
LOUIS  DECORMIS,  ancien  direfteur  de  FHopital  Francois,  ne  a 
Toulon,  age  de  38  ans.  R.».  tftj. 


Ex-Venerabk. 

L.».  T.«.  C.%  F.'. 

PIERRE  JULIEN,  minor,  ancien  ingenieur  de  1'etat, habitant duPoft- 
au-Prince,  ne  a  Beurdeaux,  age  de  46  ans.  M.». 

Membres  Refidans. 
BERNARD  MAGN1EN,  negociant,  ne  a  Luneville,  age  de  ^2  ans. 

J"V**«         /#*,*• 

ALEXIS  REMOUIT,  ancien  capitain  de  la  marine,  marchande,  ne  a 
Toulon,  age  54  ans,  membre  de  la  L.-,  de  St.  Jean  d'Ecofle,  a  TO.-,  de 
Marfeille.  R.-.  *.-. 

GEROME  DUBORD,  ne  a  Meulam  en  France,  age  de  39  ans.    M.-. 

PIERRE  GERMAIN,  habitant  de  St.  Domiugue,  ne  a  Marfeille,  age 
de  37  ans.  R.«.  «,-. 

THOMAS  CROUZEILLES,  negociant  au  Cap  Francois,  ne  a  Laguien, 
age  de  50  ans.  R.«.  «... 

JEAN  PIERRE  LA  PEIROUSSE,  Md.  ne  a  Bolenne,  age  de  48  ans. 
R.-.  *.-. 

AUGUSTIN  PIERKE  TAXIS  -  BLAIREAU,  homme  de  foi,  ne  a 
Paris,  age  de  63  ans.  M.».  Ecc. 

JOHN  COX,  capitaine  de  navire,  ne  a  la  Bermude,  age  de  40  ans.  M.% 

ANNE  FRANCOIS  BRIFFAULT,  notaire  de  St.  Domingue,  ne  a 
t-oche,  pres  Tours,  age  de  33  ans.  M.*. 


HENRY  DICKSON,  capitain  de  navire,  ne"  en  Engleterre,  age*  de  4$ 
ans.  C.*. 

WITRE  WILLIS,  capitaine  de  navire,  ne  a  la  Bermude,  age  de  40 
ans.  R.-.  &.•. 

GEORGE  MORPHY,  maitre  voilier,  ne  en  Irelande,  age  de  32  ans.  M.«. 

WILLIAM  WARD,  maitre  taileur,  ne  a  Princcfs-Ann  en  Virginie,  age 
de  31  ans.  M.-. 

MATHEW  HAREY,  Md.  ne  a  Langeindhall,  en  EcofTe,  age  de  34  ans. 

LOUIS  MAR'ECHAL,  horloger,  nc  a  Bruxelle,  age  de  40  ans.     C.'. 

JOSEPH  MEYFREN,  habitant  de  St.  Domingue,  ne  a.  Aix  en  Prov- 
ence, age  de  47  ans.  M.'.  P.*. 

HAUSE  MILLER,  capitaine  de  navire,  ne  en  Denmarck,  age  de  43 
ans.  M.*. 

PIERRE  ARM  AND  LANDRY,  bijoutier,  ne  en  Connecticut  en 
Amerique,  age  de  44  ans.  M.*. 

CHARLES  BAILLE,  Md,  ne  a  la  Senne  en  Provence,  age  de  39 
ans.  M.'. 

ROBERT  DIEUDONNE  GAGNERON,  habitant  de  la  Guadalonpe, 
ne  au  meme  lieu,  age  de  62  ans.  M.*.  Ecc.«. 

ETIENNE  FAURE,  boulanger,ne  a  St.  Domingue,  age  de  32  ans.  M.-. 

JA^UE  LAROQUE,  dofteur  en  medecin,  ne  a  la  Mazelle  de  Mirande, 
age  50  ans.  M.*.  Ecc.*. 

ROBERT  SHELTON,  ne  a  Newcomte  en  Virginie,  age  de  24  ans.App. 

LOUIS  ETIENNE  DURAND,  negotiant,  ne  a  1'Ifle  St.  Croix,  age 
de  28  ans.  C.*. 

JOHN  TRIMBLE,  habitant,  ne  en  Irelande  age  de  49  ans.    M.-.  P.'. 

JOHN  SMITH,  habitant,  ne  a  Norfolk,  age  de  64  ans.     Ecc. 

RICHARD  OWENS,  capitain  de  navire.  ne  dans  le  comte  de  Norfolk, 
age  de  29  ans.  C.'. 

HUGUET,  ancien  officier  miiitaire,  ne  a  Verafille,  ag^  de  42  ans.   M.«. 

F.1.  Servant.  * 

LOUIS  SENECHAL,  tailleur,  ne  a  Abrai  fur  Sorame  an  Picardie,   age 
de  40  ans.    Ap.*. 

Depute  de  la  L.-.  pres  le  G.'.  0.'.  de  France. 
Le  TV.  c.s  F.'.  LAURENT,  entrepreneur  <les  batiments,  ofRcier  du 
G.-.  Ov-. 

Addreffe  de  la  L.-.  la  Sageffe. 

Au  TV.  c.'.  F.'.  Secretaire  de  la  L.».  de  la  SagefTe,  a  fon  locat 
ordinaire  a  Norfolk,  en  Virginie. 

Traveaux  cT  Obligation. 

La  L.'.  Provinciale  de  la  SagefTe,  s'aflemble  regulierment  tous  les 
premiers  Lundis  de  chaque  mois. 

Membres  Non-refidans. 

LOUIS  VALENTIN,  dodeur  en  medecin,  n6  a  Soulange,  age  de  40 
ans.  R,'.  3?.». 

LOUIS  CLAUD  HENRY  MONTMAIN,  habitant  de  St.  Domingue, 
ne  a  Tonrere,  age  de  57  ans.  R,-.  ^.». 


JEAN  JAQUE  DARRAS,  habitant  de  la  Guadeloupe,  n£  a  Pont  St. 
EfjJrit,  age  de  43  ans.     M. 

JOSEPH  VINCENT,  habitant  de  St.  Doraingue,  n£  a  Malltre  age  de 
54  ans.     C. 

LOUIS  MAXIMILIAN  MILLET,  commiflaire  employe  au  ferrice  de 
la  Republique  Fran^aife,  ne  a  Paris,  age  de  26  ans.    M. 

JEAN  JAOUC  LATOUR,  employe.au  fervice  de  la  Republique  Fran- 
c.aife,  ne  a  Linra,  age  de  28  ans.  *  M. 

ANNE  NOURRI,  employe  au  fervice  de  la  Republique  Fran$aife,  ne 
a  la  Rochelle,  age  de  26  ans.     M. 

DON  JEUX,  ancien  capitain  d'infanterie,  negociant  a  Northampton, 
ne  en  Lorraine,  age  de  45  ans. 

JOSEPH  BERMOTTE,  negociant  a  Charlefton,  ne  a  Arras,  age  de  46 
ans.    M.  P. 

CLEMENT  RICHARD,  negociant  a  Newcaftle,  n£  en  France,  age  de 
51  ans.     M.  P. 

HONOIIE  NELLE,  negociant  a  Edenton,  Caroline  du  Nord,  ne  en 
France,  age  61  ans.  C. 

JEAN  CONTON,  chemifle,  refident  a  Charlefton,  ne  a  Marfeille,  age 
de  63  ans.     R.  jg. 

MATHIEU  WILLIS,  habitant  en  Virginie,  ne  dans  la  Comte  de  Nor- 
folk. 

WILLIAM  HOFFLER,  habitant  dans  le  Comte  de  Norfolk,  ne  en 
Virginie,  age  de  46  ans.    M. 

PIERRE  DABADIE,  ancien  capitain  de  navire,  ne  a  Bayonne,  age  d« 
51  ans.    R.  3$, 

MAYER  DA  R  KIN,  negociant  a  Peterfburg,  ne  a  Berlin  en  Pruffe, 
age  de  61  ans.    M. 

BLOUET,  Cure  de  Jacmel,  ifle  de  St.  Domingue,'ne  en  Bretagne,  age 
de  43  ans.     R,  $. 

OLIVIER  Al  VIABLE  COURS  AULT,  ne  a  Havre,  age  43  ans,    R.  $. 

CHARLES  HERV1EUX,  capitain  de  navire,  ne  a  Dieppe  en  Norman- 
die,  age,  de  38  ans.  R.  J{g. 

JACOB  ABRAHAM,  negociant  a  Richmond,  ne  en  Pologne,  age  de 
65303.    El. 

JEAN  SANS,  habitant  a  York,  ne  a  Bayonne,  age  de  40  ans.    El. 

PIERRE  VERGNE,  negociant  a  Philadelphie,  ne  en  France,  age  de  61 
ans.    R.  &. 

ANTOINE  TROUIN,  negociant  a  Richmond,  ne  a  Toulon,  age  de 
41  ans.     R.  &- 

NICHOLAS  PETIT,  capitaine  de  navire,  ne  a  Sanmur,  age  de  34  ans. 
R,  &, 

M.  MORDECAI,   chemifte  et  negociant  a  Richmond,  ne  en  Pologne, 
age  de  56  ans.     M.  P. 

AUBIN  DE  LA  FOREST,  negociant  a  Richmond,  ne  a  Rochefort, 
a^e  de  58  ans.    M. 

FRANCOIS  VIGIE,  marchand,  ne  a  Motpelier,  age  de  36  ans.    M. 

FRANCOIS  GRUAU,  habitant  du  Petit  Goave,  ifle  deSt  Domingue, 
ne  a  Paris.     R.  '#. 

FR  ANCO1SE  DOMENGEOD,  habitant  de  Miragouane,  ifle  St  Domin- 
gue, ne  a  1'ille  de  France,  age  de 39  ans.     R.  $-. 

GABRIEL  DESIRE  NICOLAS,  habitant  a  Aquin,  ifle  St.  Domingue, 
ne  an  meme  quartier,  age  de  32  ans,  M. 

JOSEPH  NICOLAS  DUHAMAU,  habitant  de  Miragouane,  Ifle  St. 
Domingue,  ne  an  fond  des  Negres,  raeme  quartier.     M. 

PIERRE  FRANCOIS  ELIE  LOLAIGNii,  habitant  de  Miragouane,  Ifle 
St.  Domingue,  ne  a  Leogane,  meme  Ifte,  age  de  37  ans,    M. 


40, 

JOSEPH  MARTIN,  Negociant  a  Alexandria,  ne  a  Digne  en  Provence, 
age  48  ans,  M.  P. 

JEAN  MARAULT  DUPONT,  Negociant  a  Miragouane,  Ifle  St.  Do- 
mingue,  ne  a  Cartel,  Moron,  age  de  49  ans,  M. 

GUSTAVUS  ADAMUS  REFTIMUS,  Capitaine'de  Navires,Suedos, 
ne  a  Diftad  en  Suede,  age  de  45  ans,  M. 

JACQUES  BOUTEILLIER,  lieutenant  de  Vaifleau  Francois,  ne  dans 
la  department  de  la  Mofelle,  age  de  50  ans.  M. 

FORZI,  do&eur  en  Medgcine,  ne  en  Ville  Entardenois  department  de 
la  Marne,  age  de  37  ans,  C. 

FRANCOIS  BERTHOME,  dofteur  en  Medecine,  ne  ail  Pelerin,  pres 
Nantes,  C. 

JOSEPH  NATHAN,  Negociant  Aux  Cayes,  Ifle  St.  Domingue,  ne  a 
Libourue,  en  Tofcane,  age  de  29  ans,  R.  $g. 

NICHOLAS  HENNE£UIN,  ne  a  Metz,  department  de  la  Mozelle, 
age  25  ans,  M.  P. 

CESAR  AUGUSTS  DERVEZ,  dotteur  en  Medecine,  ne  a  Lochelle, 
department  1' Aifne,  age  de  35  ans.  M. 

JEAN  BAPTISTE^CABRIT,  dotteur  en. Medecine,  ne  a  Cabrit,  de- 
partment du  Loz  et  Gironde,  age  de  35  ans*  M. 

LOUIS  PROUVEUR,  negociant,  ne  au  Havre-de-Grace,  age  de  29 
ans.  M. 

JEAN  JOSEPH  BONNAUD,  habitant  du  Fort  Dauphin,  Ifle  St.  Do- 
iningue,  ne  a  Tourbes,  en  Provence,  age  de  38  ans,  Ap. 

ETIENNE  ROCQUEPLANE,  Negociant  a  St.  Domingue,  ne  a  la 
Siotat  en  Provence,  age  de  28  ans,  Ap. 

PIERRE  RESCAN1ERE,  habitant  de  St.  Domingue,  ne  en  Languedpc, 
age  de  35  ans,  A  p. 

CHARLES  DE  SAINT  LAURENT,  officier  de  la  Marine Francoife,ne 
en  Bretagne,  age  de  31  ans,  M. 

JEAN  CLAMENS,  dodleiir  en  Medecine,  ne  a  Lifle,  age  de  37  ans,  M.P. 

JEAN  FRANCOISE  XAVIER  DANNEL,  officier  de  Marine,nea  Saint 
Malo,  age  de  37  ans,  C, 

LOUIS  GINAT,  officier  de  Marine,  ne  a  Genes,  age  de  29  ans,  M.  P. 

JUETTE,  Negociant  a  Baltimore,  ne  en  Normandie,  agede  34  ans,  Ap, 

MATHURIN  PIERRE,  COUSSY,  habitant  de  St.  Domingue,  ne  a 
Nantes,  age  de  40  ans,  M.  P. 

LOUIS  HA  MEL,  Capitaine  de  Navires,  ne  a age  de ,  M. 

RICHARD  RIMBAUD,  Negociant,  ne  a  Bourdeau,  age  de  31  ans,  Ap. 

HONORE  MONIER,  Capitaine  de  Navires,  ne  a  Marfeille,  age  de  39 
aps,  M. 

BE&TRAND  LANGE,  jun.  ne  a  Bayonne,  age  de  29  ans,    M.  Ecc, 

FRANCOIS  FRAISSE,  ne  a  Toulon,  age  de  28  ans,   M. 

Amplius  homines  oculis 
quam  auribus  credunt. 
Iterlongum  eftperpre- 
ceplci)  breve  et   ejficax 
per  exempla. 
Par  mandement  de  la  TV, 
.-.L.-.  GIEU, 

Secrefair. 


TRANSLATION. 


TABLE 

Qfthe  BRETHREN  who  compofe  the  PROVINCIAL 
FRENCH  LODGE, 

UNDER  THE  DISTINCTIVE  TITLE  OF 

WISDOM: 

IN  THE  EAST  OF  PORTSMOUTH,  IN  VIRGINIA,  STATE  OF 
NORTH  AMERICA. 

In  the  Epoch  of  St.  John,  5798. 


NORFOLK: 
PRINTED  BY  WILLETT  AND  O'CC 


F.   F.  Dignitaries. 

VENERABLE— PETER  VALENTIN  DAVEZAC  ,  inhabitant  of  St. 
.  Domingo,  born  at  Aux  Cayes,  aged  44  years,  member  of  the  lodge  Per- 
fitted  Reafon,  O.  (Baft)  of  Petit  Tron.  R. 

i ft.  OVERSEER— LOUIS  PATRICOT  BORDENEUVE,  inhabitant 
of  Sr.  Domingo,  born  at  Lavaur,  aged  47,  member  of  the  lodge  of  Solitude, 
O.  (E..ft)  of  Terrier  Rouge.  R.  &, 

2d  OVERSEER,  JOHN  BAPTIST  FOULON,  merchant,  of  St.  £uen- 
tin,  aged  54.  R.  *K» 

ORATOR— JOSEPH  ANTHONY  DUFORT,  doftor  of  medicine,  in- 
habitant of  St.  Domingo,  born  at  St.  iVfarcelin,  aged  41.  R.  &'. 

SECRETARY— JOHN  ANTHONY  GIEU,  notary  at  Port-au-Prince  : 
born  at  MarfellUs,  aged  44.  M.  * 

TREASURER— VINCENT  PARLATO,  phyfician,  (Md.)  born  at  Na- 
ples, aged  41.  R.rlf. 

MASTER  or  CEREMONIES— JOSEPH  MAGAGNOS,  phyfician,  (Md.) 
born  at  Toulon,  aged  25. 

TERRIBLE— LOUIS  SAUTEJEAU,  phyfician,  (Md.)  born  at  Nantz, 
aged  30.  M. 

xft  ExPERT—JEAN  BAPTISTE  JCAPAMAGY,  phyfician,  (Md.) 
born  at  Gonttantinople,  aged  42.  R.  8?. 

2d  EXPERT JEAN  BAPTISTE  MARIE  BONNEAU,  inhabitant  of 

St.  Domingo,  born  at  Marfeilles,  aged  39.    M. 

STEWARD— GEORGE  FERTE  doctor  in  medicine>  inhabitant  of  St. 
Domingo,  born  at  Ham,  aged  71.  M. 

ASSISTANT  SECRETARY  AND  KEEPER  or  THESEALS  AND  ARCHIVES—, 
LOUIS  DECORMIS,  Senior  Direftor  of  the  French  Hofpital,  born  at 

Toulon,  aged  38.     R.  

Ex  Venerable. 

L.  f.  c.  F* 
Undoubtedly  intended  for  le  tres  cher  frere> 

The  much  ejleemed  Brother. 

PIERRE  JULIEN,  jun.  chief  engineer  of  State,  inhabitant  of  Port-au- 
Prince,  born  at  Bourdeaux,  aged  46  year?.  M. 

Refident  Members* 

BERNARD  MAGNIEN,  merchant,  born  at  Lanenville,  aged  42,  R,  &. 

ALEXIS  REMCTUfT,  Senior  Sea  Captain,  Merchant',  born  at  Toulon, 
a£ed  54,  Member  from  the  L.  of  St.  John  of  Scotland,  to  the  O.  (Eaft) 
of  iVfarfeilles.  R.  &. 

GEROME  DUBOKD,  born  at  Meulam  in  France,  aged  39.     M. 

PIERRE  GERMAIN,  Inhabitant  of  St.  Domingo,  born  at  Marfeilles, 
nged37-  R.&. 

THOMAS  CROWZEILLES,  Merchairt  at  Cape  Francois,  born  at 
Lagiuen,  aged  50.  R,  %£. 

JLAN  PIERRE  LA  PIEROUSSE,  Phyfician,  (Md.)born  atBolenne, 
aged  48  years.  >:. 

AUGUSTIN  PIERRE  TAXIS -BLAIREAU,  Lawyer,  born  at  Paris, 
aged  63.  M.  Ecc. 

JOH  N*  COX.  Sea  Cipfiiin,  born  ar  P'ermucla,  agerl  40.     M. 

ANNE  '.  R  ANCOIS  BRfFFAULT,  Notary  of  St.  Domingo,  born  at 
Loche^neur  Tours,  a^ed  32,  M. 


43 

,  Sea  Captain,  born  in  England,  aged  49.    C. 
\VITRE  WILLIS,  Sea  Captain,  born  at  Bermuda,  aged  40.     R.  &. 

GEORGE  MORPHY,  Sailing  Matter,  born  in  Ireland,  aged  32.   'iVl. 

\V1LLIAMWARD,  Mailer  Taylor,  born  at  Priucefs  Ann  in  Virginia, 
aged  31  : 

MATTHEW  HAREY,Phyfician(Md)born  at  Langeihdhall  in  Scot- 
land, aged  31  :     M  :  P  : 

LOUIS  MARECHALL,  Watch- Maker,  born  at  Bruxelle,  aged  40  :  C  ; 

JOSEPH  MEYFREN,  inhabitant  of  St.  Domingo,  born  at  Aix  in  Prov- 
ence, aged  47  :     M :  P  : 

HAUSE  MILLEB-,  Ship  Captain,  born  in  Denmark,  aged  43  :    M  : 

PIERRE  ARMAND  LANDRY,  Jeweller,  bom  in  Conhefticttt,  in 
America,  aged  44  :     1VJ : 

CHARLES  BA1LLE,  Phyfician- (Md)born  at  Senne  in  Provence,  aged 
39  :     M  : 

ROBERT  DIEUDONNE  GAGNERON,  .inhabitant  of  Guadaloupe, 
born  at  the  fame  place,  aged  62,     M  :  Ecc  : 

ETIENNE  FAURE,  Baker,  born  at  St  Domingo,  aged  32,    M  : 

J  AQUE  LAROqUE,  Doctor  in  Medicine,  born  at  Mazelie  de  Mirande, 
aged  50,    M  ;  Ecc  : 
-ROBERT  SHELTON,  born  at  New  County  in  Virginia,  aged  24  : 

LOUIS    ETIENNE  DURAND,  Merchant,   born  at  the  IflandofSt 
Croix,  aged  28  years,  C  : 

JOHN  TRIMBLE,  inhabitant,  born  in  Ireland,  aged  49  years,  M :  P  : 

JOHN  SMITH,  inhabitant,  born  at  Norfolk,  aged  64,    Ecc  : 

RICHARD  OWENS,  Ship  Captain,  born  in  the  County  of  Norfolk, 
aged  29  years,  C  : 

HUGUET,  Senior  Military  Officer,  born  at  Verfailes,  aged  42,    M : 

F.  Servant. 

LOUIS  SENECHAL,  Taylor,  born  at  Abraon  the  Summit  inPicardy, 
aged  40  years,  Ap  : 

Delegate  from  the  Lodge  at  the  Grand  Orient  of  France. 
The  very  dear  Brother  LAURENT,  Ship  Builder, Officer  of  the  Grand 
Orient. 

Addrefs  of  the  Lodge  Wlfdcm. 

To  the  very  dear  Brother  Secretary  of  the  Lodge  Wifdom,  at  his  ufual 
Refidence  at  Norfolk  in  Virginia,. 

Injunction. 

The  Provincial  Lodge  of  Wifdom,  afTembies  itfelf  regularly  every  firft 
Monday  of  each  month. 

Non  Refident  Members. 
LOUIS  VALETIN,  Doctor  of  Medicine,  born  at  Soulange,  aged  49. 

R.  #:• 

LOUIS  CLAUD  HENRY  MONTMAIN,  Inhabitant  of  St.  Domingo. 
born  at  Tonnere,  aged  57 — .  R.  '$. 

JEAN  JAQUE  DAKRAS,  inhabitant  of  Guadaloupe,  born  at  Pont 
St.  Efprit,  aged  43,  M. 

JOSEPH  VINCENT,  inhabitant  of  St :  Domingo,  born  at  Malltre, 
C: 


44 

LOUIS  MAXIMILLIAN   MILLET,  CommifTary,  employed   in  the 
fervice  of  the  French  Republic,  born  at  Paris,  aged  26.     M. 

JEAN  JAQUE  LATOUR,  employed  in  the  fervice  of  the  French  Re- 
public, born  at  Lnira,  aged  28.     M. 

ANNE  NOURRI,  employed  in  the  fervice  of  the  French  Republic, 
born  at  Rochelle,  aged  26  :    M  : 

DON  JEUX,  fenior  captain  of  infantry,  merchant  at  Northampton, 
born  in  Lorraine,  aged  45  : 

JOSEPH  BERMOTTE,  merchant  at  Charlefton,  born  at  Arras,  aged 
46  :  M  :  P  : 

CLEMENT   RICHARD,  trader  at  New  Cattle,  born  in  France,  aged 
51:    M:  P: 

HONORE  NELLE,  merchant  at  Edenton,  North-Carolina,  born  in 
France,  aged  61  :     C  : 

JOHN  CONTON,  chemift,  refulent  at  Charleflon,  born  at  Marfeilles 
aged  63  :  C. 

MATTHEW  WILLIS,  inhabitant  of  Virginia,  born  in  the  county  of 
Norfolk. 

WILLIAM  HOFFLER,  refiding  in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  born  in 
Virginia,  aged  46  years,     M. 

PIERRE  DABABIE,  fenior,  (hip  captain,  born  at  Bayonne,  aged  51  : 
R  :  $  : 

MAYER  DARKIN,  Merchant  at  Peterfburg,  born  at  Berlin  inPruflia, 
aged  6 1  :  M  : 

BLOUET,  curate  of  Jacmel,  in  the  Ifland  St.  Domingo,  born  in  Brit- 
tanny,  aged  43  :    R  :  &  : 

OLIVER  AIMABLE  COURSATT,  born  at  Havre,  aged  43  :  R  :  $. 

CHARLES  HERVIEUX,  fea  captain,  born  at  Dieppe  in  Normandy, 
aged  38  :  R :  &  : 

JACOB  ABRAHAM,  merchant  at  Richmond,  born  in  Poland,  aged 
65  :  E)  : 

JOHN  SANS,  inhabitant  of  York, born  at  Bayonne,  aged  40:  El: 

PIERRE  VERGNE,  merchant  at  Philadelphia,born  in  France,  aged  6r« 

ANTOINE-  TROUIN,  merchant  at  Richmond,  born  at  Toulon,  aged 
41.     R.  &\ 

NICHOLAS  PETIT,  (hip  captain,  b'prn  at  Sanmur,  aged  34.    R.  &> 

M.  MORDECAI,  chemiftand  merchant  at  Richmond,  born  in  Poland, 
aged  66.    M.  P. 

AUBIN  DE  LA  FOREST,  merchant  at  Richmond,  born  at  Roche- 
fort,  aged  58.    M. 

FRANCOIS  VIGIE,  Merchant,  born  at  Montpellier,  aged  36,     M: 

FRANCIS  GRUAU,  inhabitant  of  Petit  Goave,  in   the  Ifland  ofSt 
Domingo,  born  at  Paris,     R  :  '$• : 

FRANCOIS  DOMENGEOD,    inhabitant   of  Miragonane,   Ifle  of  St 
Domingo,  born  at  the  Ifle  of'France,  aged  39,    R  :  j$[  : 

GABRIEL  DESIRE  NICHOLAS,  inhabitant  at  Aquin,  in  St  Domin- 
go, born  in  the  fame  quarter,  aged  32,     M  : 

JOSEPH   NICHOLAS  DUHAMAU,  inhabitant  of  Miragouane  in  S: 
Domingo,  born  (an  fond  des  Negres)  in  the  fame  quarter,     M  : 

PIEKRE  FRANCOIS  ELIE  LOLAIGNE,  inhabitant  of  Miragouane, 
St  Domingo,  born  at  Logan,  the  fame  Ifle,  aged  37,     M  : 

JOSEPH  MARTIN,  Merchant  at  Alexandria,  born  at  Digne  in  Prov- 
ence, aped  48,     M:P: 

JEAN  MARAULT  DUPONT,  Merchant  at  Miragouane  St  Domingo, 
born  at  Cartel,  Moron,  aged  49,    M  : 


GUSTAVUS  ADAMUS  RESTI^IIUS,  Sea  Captain,  a  Swede,  born 

at  Diflad  in  Sweden,  aged  45,    M  : 

JACQUES  BOUTEILL1ER,  Lieutenant  of  a  French  veffel,  born  in, 

the  Department  of  the  Mozelle,  aged  50,     M: 

FOKZI,  Doctor  in  Medicine,  born  in  Ville  Entardenois,  Department 

of  Maine,  aged  37,    C  : 
FRANCOIS  BERTHOME,  Doctor  in  Medicine,  born  at  Pelerin  near 

Nantes,     C  : 
JOShPH  NATHAN,  Merchant,  Aux  Cayes  St  Domingo,  born  at 

Li  bourne  in  Tnfcany,  aged  29,     R  : 

NICHOLAS  HENNEQU1N,  born  at  Metz,  department  of  Mozelle, 

aged  25,    M  :  P  : 
CESAR  AUGUSTyE  DEtlVEZ,  doflor  in  Medicine,  born  at    Loch- 

elle,  department  of  Aifne,  aged  35,     M  : 

JEAN  BAPTISTE  CAbRlT,  Doctor  in  Medicine,  born  at  Cabrit,  de- 
partment of  Loz  and  Gironde,  aged  35,    M  : 

LOUIS  PROUVhUR,  merchant,  Dorn  at  Havre,  aged  29,    M  : 
JEAN  JOSEPH  BONNAUD,  inhabitant  ot  Fort  Dauphin  St  Domingo, 

born  at  Tourbes  in  Province,  aged  38,     Ap  : 
ET1ENNE  ROC^UE  PLANE,  merchant  at  St  Domingo,  born  at 

Siotat  in  Province,  aged  28,     App  : 

PIERRE  RESCAN1ERE,  inhabitant  of  St  Domingo,  born  in  Langue- 

doc,  aged  3,5,     Ap  : 

CHARLES  DE  SAINT  LAURENT,  Marine  officer  of  France,  bom 

in  Erittanny,  aged  31,     M  : 

JEAN  CLEMENS,  doctor  in  Medicine,  borne  at  Lifle,aged  37,  M  :  P  : 
JEAN  FRANCOIS  XAV1ER  DANIEL,  Marine  Oflicer,  born  at  St 

Malo,  aged  37,     C  : 

LOUIS  GIN  AT,  Marine  Officer,  born  at  Geneva,  aged  29,    M  :  P  : 
JUETTE,  Merchant  at  Baltimore.,  born  in  Normandy,  aged  34,     Ap  : 
MARTHURIN  PIERRE  COUSSY,  inhabitant  of  St  Domingo,  born 

at  Nantes,  aged  40,     M  :  P  : 

LOUIS  HAMEL,  Sea  Captain,  born aged M  : 

RICHARD  RIMBAUD,  Merchant,  born  at  Bordeaux,  aged  31,  Ap  : 
HONORE  MONIER,  Sea  Captain,  born  at  Marfeiiles,  aged  39,    M  : 
BERTRAND  LANGE,  jun.  born  at  Bayonne,  aged  29,     M  :  Ecc  : 
FRANCOIS  FRAISSE,  born  at  Toulon,  aged  28,    M  : 


Men  believe  their  eyes 
farther  than  their  ears. 
The  way  ly  precept  is 
long,  butfiort  and  effica- 
cious by  example. 

By  order  of  the  very  Refpeffaslt 
'G1EU, 

Secretary. 


EXPLANATORY*  REM1RKS. 

FROM  the  preceding  documents  we  learn  that  the  Lodge  of  Wifdom, 
eftablifhed  at  Portfhiouth  in  Virginia,  is  a  branch  of  the  Grand  Orient  of 
France;  and  confifls  chiefly  of  foreigners,  and  thefe  Frenchmen  from 
France  or  her  Weil-India  dominions  ;  that  it  was  inftituted  as  early  as 
1786,*  and  was  at  that  period  the  TWO  THOUSAND  six  HUNDRED  AND 
SIXTIETH  branch  from  the  original  flock. 

We  further  learn  that  there  is  a  fifter  Lodge  at  New-York,  called  the 
Grand  Orient  of  New-\orkt  which  from  its  name  and  the  number  of 
Lodges  it  has  inllittited,  is  probably  the  firft  and  principal  branch  which 
the  Mother  Club  in  France  has  eftabiifhed  in  America.  From  this  New- 
York  Lodge  iffued  the  French  Lodge,  called  the  UNION,  to  which  the 
preceding  letter  was  addrefied,  which  appeals  to  have  been  conflitu- 
ted  about  a  year  ago,  and  was  the  fourteenth  branch  from  its  fecondary 
flock.  The  places  where  thefe  14  branches  exift  we  are  left  to  conjecture 
from  their  fruits. 

From  the  documents  it  alfo  appears  that  there  is  maintained  an  in* 
timate  and  fraternal  correfpondeuce  between  the  various  branches  of 
this  fociety  in  America  and  St.  Domingo,  and  alfo  with  the  Grand  Orient 
of  France,  where  there  is  a  regular  deputy,  from  the  Lodge  of  Wifdom  in 
Virginia  ;  and  that  they  interchange  lifts  of  the  names  of  their  mem- 
bers, with  fuch  defcriptions  annexed,  as  are  well  calculated  to  make 
them  known  to  each  other. 

The  befl  informed  Free  Mafons  among  u?,  who  have  feen  the  preced- 
ing documents,  difciaim  thefe  focieties.  The  titles  of  fome  ot  their  Dig- 
nitaries, their  feal  and  motto,  they  declare  are  not  Majonic.  Thefe  fo- 
cietiet  have  prefumptuoufly  afTumed  the  forms  of  Mafonry  ;  but  are  not 
of  the  order  of  true  and  good  Mafons.  -  They  are  impoftors. 

The  Lodge  of  Wijdom,  a  lift  of  whole  members  is  here  given,  confifts 
of  one  hundred.  It  appears  that  there  arejixteen  other  Societies,  includ- 
ing the  Mafonic  Work-mop  at  Peterfburg  in  Virginia,  which  feems  to  be 
of  an  inferior  grade,  fomewhere  among  us  ;  admitting  that  they  all  con- 
fifl  of  an  equal  number  of  members,  there  are  no  lefs  thanfeventeen  hun- 
dred of  thefe  Illuminati  among  us,  all  bound  together  by  oath  and  the 
mofl  intimate  correfpondence.  Nay  there  is  too  much  reafon  to  fear 
that  the  many  thoufands  of  Frenchmen  who  are  fcattered  through  the  Unit- 
ed States,  particularly  fouthward  of  New-England,  are  combined  and  or-> 
ganized  (with  other  foreigners,  and  fome  difaffe^ted  and  unprincipled 
Americans)  in  thefe  Societies  j  and  are  regularly  inftrufted  and  directed 
by  their  matters  in  France,  and  that  they  are  in  concert,  fyftematically 
conducting  the  plan  of  revolutionizing  this  country. 

The  principles  and  objects  of  this  Society  are  in  part  deducible  from 
their  Latin  Motto,  and  their  horrid  feal  ;  but  more  fully  from  a  recur- 
rence to  Proteilbr  Robifon's  and  the  Abbe  BarruePs  accounts  of  the  infti- 
tution,  principles  and  objects  of  the  Grand  Orient  of  France  ;  for  the 
flreams  muft  always  partake  of  the  qualities  of  the  fountain. 

The  Motto  of  this  fociety  is  remarkable.  Amplius  homines,  occuU^ 
quam  auribus  credunt.  her  longum  eft  per  precepta,  breve  et  efficax  per 
exempla.  Literally  rendered,  it  is  thus  :  "  Men  believe  their  eyes  far- 
ther than  their  ears.  The  way  by  precept  is  long,  but  fliort  and  effica- 
cious by  example."  The  fpirit  of  the  motto  is  better  exprefled  in  the 
following  more  liberal  tranflation,  "  Men  more  readily  believe  what  they 

«  This  appears  frera  the  Sea!. 


fee  than  what  they  hear.    They  are  tsnght  flowly  by  precept,  but  the  ef- 
fect of  example,  is  fudden  and  powerful." 

This  infcription,  it  may  be  prefumed,  was  chofen  as  indicative  of  the 
primary  objects  of  the  Society.  It  was  formed  then,  not  for /peculation 
but  for  aQivity.  Precepts  are  fcorned,  while  attioiis  are  confidered  as  the 
only  effectual  mode  of  teaching  mankind,  and  of  prodncing  a  change  in 
their  opinions.  This  is  clearly  the  object,  it  the  infcription  has  any 
meaning.  If  the  opinions  of  men  refpecting  government  ami  religion  are 
not  thofe  which  are  to  be  changed  by  the  fcenes  now  pafling  before  their 
eyes,  what  is  the  object  ?  The  Society  alone  can  anfwer.  Their  own 
actions  as  a  fbciety  furely  csnnot  be  intended,  for  the  very  exiftence  of 
the  Society  is  defigned  to  be  a/ecret.  The  changes  which  they  can  pro- 
duce by  Jecret  influence  and  intrigue,  the  novel  arts  which  they  can  thus 
exhibit  before  the  eyes  of  men,  are  doubilefs  to  be  the  efficacious  means  of 
teaching  men  the  new  fyftem  of  philofophy,  which  lets  at  defiaace,  and 
contemns  all  old  and  fettled  opinions,  by  which  the  government  of  na- 
tions and  the  conduct  of  individuals  have  heretofore  been  directed. 

The  Seal  of  this  Society  is  doubtlefs  intended  as  a  further  indication 
of  their  defigns  ;  and  an  infpection  of  it  in  this  view,  will  induce  one  to 
believe  they  muft  be  of  the  moft  horrid  nature.  I  have  caufed  an  exact: 
copy  from  the  original  to  be  annexed,  becaufe  no  defcription  of  mine 
can  do  it  juiUce.  It  may  probably  be  emblematical  of  one  of  the  rituals 
of  the  Grand  Orient  of  France,  which  I  here  recite  from  PrcfeflbrRoBi- 
SON,  as  the  beft  comment  upon  it, 

"  A  candidate  for  reception  into  one  of  the  higheft  Orders,  after  hav- 
«'  ing  heard  many  threatenings  denounced  againil  all  who  fliould  betray 
*'  tte  Secrets  of  the  Order,  was  conducted  to  a  place  where  lie  faw  the 
«<  dead  bodies  of  feveral  who  were  faid  to  have  fuffered  for  their  treach- 
"  ery.     He  then  faw  his  own  brother  tied  hand  and  foot,  begging  his 
"  mercy  and  interceflion.     He  was  informed  that  this  perfon  was  about 
«« to  fuffer  the  puniftiment  due  to  this  offence,  and  that  it  was  referred  for 
*  him  (the  candidate)  to  be  the  inftrument  of  this  juil  vengeance,  and  that 
f  this  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  manifeding  that  he  was  completely  de- 
«  voted  to  the  Order.     It  being  obferved  that  his  countenance  gave  figns 
«  of  inward  horror,  (the  perfon  in  bonds  imploring  his  mercy  all  the 
'  while)  he  was  told  that  in  order  to  fpare  his  feelings,  a  bandage 
'  fhould  be  put   over  his  eyes.     A   dagger    was  then  put  into  his  right 
'  hand,  and  being  hood-winked,    his  lett  hand  was  laid  upon  the  palpi- 
tating heart  of  the  criminal,  and  he  was  then  ordered  to  ftrike.     He 
'  inftantly  obeyed  j  and  when  the  bandage  was  taken  from  his  eyes,  he 
"-  faw  that  it  was  a  Iamb  that  he  had  llabbed.     Surely  fuch   trials  and 
«'  fuch  wanton  cruelty  are  fit  only  for  training  confpirators."* 

But  we  cannot  with  certainty  and  accuracy  determine  what  are  the 
principles  and  objects  of  this  extenfive  ailbciation  without  recurring  to 
the  accounts  which  ProfeiTor  Robifon  and  the  Abbe  Barrnel  have  given 
us  of  the  principles  and  objects  of  the  Grand  Orient  of  Francs.  This  is 
a  fubject  of  great  moment,  and  requires  more  attention  than  I  have  at 
prefent  either  health  or  leifure  to  beftow.  I  intend  not  to  lofe  light  of 
If,  however,  and  will,  as  early  as  pofiible  lay  before  the  public  fuch  a 
view  of  the  original  Inftitution,  as  the  two  forementioned  work?,  and 
other  documents  (hall  furnifh.  I  will  only  obferve  here  that  it  appears 
from  Profeflbr  Robijon\  that  about  eight  years  before  the  Revolution  in 
France,  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  whnfe  character  is  Cf  flamed  with  every 
thing  that  can  degrade  or  difgrace  human  nature/^  had  the  addrefs,  by 

*  Rob.  p.  zSj.  f  178,  *79i  PW'a.  Edit.  t  Ibid.  p.  2:4. 


means  of  much  intrigue  and  many  bribes  and  promifes  to  procure  hinu 
felf  elected  Grand  Matter  of  France,  and  to  get  under  his  direction  all  the 
Improved  (another  word  for  Illuminated)  Lodges  of  France.  "  The 
whole  afTociation,  fays  Mr.  Robifon,  was  called  the  GRAND  ORIENT  ofc 
FRANCE,  and  in  1785,  contained  266  of  thefe  Lodges.*  Thus  (adds  Mr* 
Robifon)  the  Duke  of  Orleans  had  the  management  of  all  thole  Secret 
Societies;  and  the  licentious  and  irreligious  fentiments  which  were  cur- 
rently preached  there,  were  fure  of  his  hearty  concurrence.  The  fame  in- 
trigue which  procured  him  the  fupreme  chair  mu ft  have  filled  the 
Lodges  with  his  dependents  and  emifTaries  ;  and  thefe  men  could  not 
better  earn  their  pay  than  by  doing  their  utmoft  to  propagate  infidelity, 
immorality,  and  impurity  of  manners  "\ 

From  a  work  written  by  a  Mr,  Lefranc,  Prefident  of  the  Seminary  of 
Eudijls  at  Caen  in  Normandy,  the  2d  Edition  of  which  was  published  at 
Paris,  1792,  it  appears  that  the  Author  has,  from  collection  of  papers 
\vhich  had  fallen  into  his  hands  upon  the  death  of  a  friend,  made  impor- 
tant difcoveries  concerning  the  principles  and  views  of  this  affbciation. 
"  The  perufal  of  thefe  papers,  he  fays,  filled  him  with  aftonifhment  and 
anxiety.  For  he  found  that  doctrines  were  taught,  and  maxims  of  con- 
dud  were  inculcated,  which  were  fubverfive  of  religion  and  of  all  good 
order  in  the  ftate  ;  and  which  not  only  countenanced  difloyalty  and  fedi- 
tion  but  even  invited  it."}: 

That  there  are  branches  and  confiderably  numerous  too,  of  this  in- 
fernal affectation  in  this  country  we  have  now  full  proof.  That  they 
hold  and  propagate  (imilar  doctrines  and  maxims  of  conduct  is  abundant- 
ly  evident  from  what  is  paffing  continually  before  our  eyes.  They  even 
boaft  that  their  plans  are  deeply  and  extenfively  laid,  and  cannot  be^de- 
feated,  that  fuccefs  is  certain.  If  then,  Americans,  we  do  not  fpeedily 
take  tor  our  motto,  Vigilance,  Union  and  Activity,  and  act  accordingly, 
we  muft  expert  foon  to  fall  victims  to  the  arts  and  the  arms  of  that  na- 
tion, ''on  the  title  page  of  whofe  laws,  as  well  as  on  its  ftandards,  is 
written  the  emphatic  and  deforiptive  motto  of 

"  HAVOC  AND  SPOIL  AND   RUIN  ARE  OUR  GAlN."§ 


Note  (C.)  page  18. 

A  Letter  from  Holland,  an  extract  ,of  which  is  now  before  me,  in- 
forms, that  fince  the  French  had  taken  pofTeffion  of  that  country,  "  the 
people  were  not  called  together,  as  formerly,  by  ringing  of  bells,  and 
iDiniiters  were  not  permitted  to  wear  a  band  or  other  diftinctive  orna- 
ments, without  the  walls  of  the  church." 

Letters  from  a  correfpondent,  in  Edinburgh,  alfo  in  my  pofleifion, 
dated  January  27,  1797,  fay, 

«*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Hinlopen,  a  worthy  Minifler  of  Utrecht,  was  fufpended 
fome  months,  by  the  prefent  rulers  in  Holland  ;  but  this  occafioned  fuch 
general  murmurings  and  difguft,  that  they  found  it  neceflary  to  replace 
him.  The  depriving  all  Minifters  and  Univerfity  Profefibrs  of  legal  fala- 
ries  from  government,  is  a  meafure,  of  which  many  in  power  are  fond. 
Eut  I  have  not  iutiicient  information  how  far  they  have  or  have  not 
fucceeded." 

*  In  this  number  ?.re  probably  included  the  Lodges  in  France  only,  otherwife  the  increaCe  muft 
•-•n  aftonifhingiv  rapid,  in  order  to  have  hud  the  tiuo  tkoiifand  fix  hundred  and  fat. e:h 
'i-d  in  Ar.:crivaia  i 

t  Robifon,  p.  2-9.  t  ibid.  p.  iBo.  $  See  Mallet  Du  Pan,  p.  no. 


i,  1797.   . 

ft  Dr.  Peirfon  Minifter  in  Amfterdam  has  fuffered  feverely  by  the  Revolu- 
tion. Hislofs  is  ellimatedat^sooo  fterling.  For  about  a  year  and  an 
lialf  he  was  in  fad  a  prilbner  in  his  own  houfe.  But  on  the  i5th  of 
April,  1797,  the  committee  of  vigilance  forced  him  out  of  it,  and  put  him 
in  prifon,  none  having  accefs  to  him  except  the  Jailor  and  his  fervants, 
and  he  and  his  lady  were  not  permitted  to  write  each  other  without 
their  Infpeftion.  The  firft  ten  days  Mrs.  Peirfon  was  not  allowed  to 
fend  him  any  viftuals.  The  27th  of  April  they  delivered  him  up  to  the 
committee  of  juilice. 

A  Lady  writes  to  a  Friend  in  Scotland  that "  his  enemies  can  lay  noth- 
ing to  his  charge.7* 

Thefe  are  among  innumerable  facts  to  prove  the  hoftiiity  of  the  French 
Revolutionifh  to  the  Clergy. 

Anacharlis  Cloots,  a  meiuber'of  the  National  Convention  was' wont  to 
fay— «  Rings  and  PrieHs  are  ufelefs  things.  They  are  defpors  and  cor- 
rupters."  And  they  are  treated  by  the  French  and  their  emiflanes  \vith- 
out  dillin&ion  and  in  every  country,  as  if  what  this  avowed  Atheiit 
aiTer.ts  concerning  them  were  true. 

NOTE  (D.)  page  20. 

THE  meafures  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  paragraph  were  propoful 
to  the  Legillature  during  the  laft  feffion  in  the  form  of  a  Bill,  which  was 
lupported  with  much  zea\  by  fome  of  the  members.  The  purport  of 
this  Bill,  as  I  bave  been  informed,  from  very  relpe&able  authority,  was 
that  any  individual  producing  a  certificate  from  the  clerk  of  any. aflb- 
ciation  of  men  for  religious  purpofes,  that  he  or  (he,  actually  contributed 
to  the  fupport  of  public  worlhip,  mould  exempt  (hch  perfon  from  all  le- 
gal affefiments  or  requifitions,  for  the  maintenance  of  public  teacher?.* 

Had  this  Bill  palled  into  a  law,  it  is  eafy  to  fee  that  it  would  have  juf- 
tified  and  protected  (as  was  no  doubt  the  intention  of  the  Bill,  though 
by  no  means  of  all  who  may  have  voted  for  it)t  the  difaffe&ed,  the  irre- 
ligious and  the  defpifers  of  public  worfliip  and  of  theChriftian  Sabbath,  in 
every  town  and  parifli,  in  withdrawing  that  fupport  of  theChriftian  Mm- 
3 dry  which  the  laws  now  oblige  them  to  give.  This  clafs  ot  people  is  not 
fmall  in  many  of  our  towns  and  parishes ;  and  their  fupport  taken  away 
would  reduce  many  of  the  Clergy  to  a  fituation  that  would  compel  them 
to  leave  their  people.  The  ultimate  effeds  of  fuch  a  law,  it  is  eafy  to 
forefee,  would  be  the  divifion  and  ruin  of  many  of  the  parifties  in  the 
Commonwealth.  Happily  the  wifdom  of  the  Legiflature  torefaw  the  evil 
and  prevented  it. 

*  Not  having  feen  the  Bill,  I  Rate  Us  content*  a*  given  by  one  who  was  perfonally  interefted 
in  the  qucftion,  and  confirmed  by  others  in  a  like  fituation,  and  may  therefore  be  relied  on 
as  corrtd  as  to  its  tffence. 

t  It  was  introduced  at  the  clofe  of-the  feffion,  when  the  houfe  was  thin,  and  the  member* 
prefent  many  of  £hem,  anxious  to  return  to  their  homes,  and  fome  who  may  have  given  their 
rotes  in  favour  of  the  Bill,  may  not,  on  thefe  accounts,  have  paid  that  attention  to  it  which  it* 
importance  demanded. 


NOTE  (E.)  Page  24, 

SEE  a  Sermon,  replete  with  found  fenfe  and  piety,  entitled  «  Political 
Jnftruftioti  from  the  Prophecies  of  GOD'S  Word,"  preached  at  Hartford, 
(Con.)  on. the  State  Tl?ankfgiving,  Nov.  29,  1798,  by  the  Rev.  NATHAN 
STRONG, 

"  An  ingenious  and  learned  ferijion,  lately  publilhed  by  the  Rev. 
Prefident.it) wight,  hath  juftly  explained  the  three  impure  fpirits,  under 
the  fixth  vial,  that  went  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  dragon,  and  out 
of  the  mouth  of  the  bead,  and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  falfe  pro- 
phet,  to  mean  the  principles  of  infidelity,  which  within  a  century 
have  rifen  in  the  old  chrlman  world.  The  events  and  the  effe&s 
fo  precifely  mark  the  period  of  prophecy,  that  we  cannot  miftake 
it.  The  caufes  of  the  prefent  war  in  Europe  lie  in  the  moral  world. 
Tbefe  impure  fpirits,  have, already  gathered  the  kings  or  nations,  to 
the  battle  of  the  great  day  of  GOD  Almighty.  The  battle  is  fighting 
—the  blood  is  running,  and  it  will  run.  There  may  be  a  multi- 
tude of  contradicting  events,  but  the  principal  features  of  t"he  fcene  will 
be  the  fame  until  this  Babylon  is  fallen.  It  is  the  irrefiftible  work  of 
GOD  and  muft  go  on,  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  himfelf  hath  fpoken  it. 
And  while  the  work  is  going  on,  fome  will  fee  and  give  glory  to  the  GOD 
of  heaven  ;  but  thofe  who  are  nooft  deeply  involved  in  thefe  events  will 
neither  fee ,nor  fear."  fyid. 

NOTE  (F.)  Page  30. 

"  IT  is  a  matter  of  extreme  aftoniftiment  to  me,  (fays  Bifhop  Watfon*) 
how  any  man  of  fenfe  can  expeft  to  carry  on  any  government  without 
the  aid  of  religion.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  had  their  Elyfium  and  their 
Tartarus,  their  hopes  and.  fears  o£ futurity,  to  affift  the  impotency,and  to 
extend  the  agency,  of  civillaw.  But  when  the  dodlrines  of  Epicurus  be- 
came general  at  Rome  $  when  men  were  taught  that  there  was  no  future 
ftate  ;  that  Death  was  Eternal  Sleep,  the  bonds  of  moral  obligation,  thofe 
flnews  of  fociety,  were  broken.  Then,  fays  Paterculus,  non  gradujed, 
•predpiti  curfu  a  virtute  •dejcitum  et  ad  vitia  tranfcurjum  eft — and  Rome 
felt/." 

*  Charge  to  the  Clergy  of  the'Diooefe  of  Landaff,  June  1798. 


£0W/V      if 


X 


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